By: Jim Rosenberg "I started at the beacon journal out of high school," recalls Andrea Mathewson, who could hardly know that in 10 years she'd be out of the back office, into the back shop, and onto an executive career path. For all the industry's changes, newspapers are still places where carriers, cub reporters, and classified clerks can rise in the ranks ? as every Production All-Star and at least one judge proves.
Also like other All-Stars, Mathewson, says one admirer, is "constantly giving credit to the people around her," one of the things that make her an effective leader.
Almost 30 years ago, Mathewson took a part-time job at the paper because it was close to the University of Akron. Her studies were cut short, however, when it became a full-time position. In fact, she had three job offers, and although she couldn't know her future, she already had found working for the newspaper interesting because "it changed every day" ? unlike her alternatives, which included copy machine sales.
Debra Adams Simmons calls Mathewson a taskmaster who nevertheless commands a great deal of respect from her staff. The editor and vice president says much of her production chief's early experience at the paper "shaped the person she is today." The comments are unusual for two reasons: the two have known each other for only three years, and Adams Simmons was the only editorial staffer to nominate an All-Star.
"An exception to what we ordinarily think of production," Adams Simmons says, Mathewson clarifies her needs, explaining how other departments' actions impact press and post-press. And owing to the respect she's earned, the editor says, "a lot of hard work goes into addressing problems" identified by Mathewson.
Her ability to elicit cooperation was perhaps tested most by the paper's recent move to sub-ZIP code zoning. Mathewson had to get marketing research, circulation, advertising, and packaging on the same page.
Under Mathewson, production converted to lighter newsprint, cut waste, improved safety, groomed staffers for management, ran 24 consecutive months with no downtime, partnered with local machinists for quicker press parts supply, and established weekly meetings of the packaging manager with all other departments. "That's why I gravitated to production, because it touches every department every day," she says.
Her paper won print-quality awards from fellow flexo users and Knight Ridder, which last fall bestowed an Excellence Award on Mathewson. "A fierce advocate" for maintaining and enhancing equipment, she "treats the presses like her children," her nominator tells E&P.
Her ability to manage projects and people is notable. Previous boss Terry Whitney, now The Miami Herald's circulation vice president, credits Mathewson with assembling "a superb management team," handling "every little detail" of running a union shop, and maintaining an "excellent" working relationship with the Teamsters rep.
"If you've got a big project with lots of little details, she's the person you want on it," says Adams Simmons. Years ago, Mathewson helped convert to morning publication. More recent were a $2.9 million inserter upgrade, the commissioning of a nearby Sunday-only inserting plant, and preparation for sub-ZIP zoning. With a new packaging infrastructure, Mathewson's first question was, "How do we do something like this accurately?" She needed planning software to replace Excel spreadsheets, and the right tools to face more complexity in the operator area. (Akron relies on Burt Technologies and Enternet solutions.)
Whatever the project, Adams Simmons says, the data Mathewson "can retrieve, analyze and apply ? without consulting notes or reports ? is astonishing."
The production chief says she owes much to her former superiors. From Pat McHugh through Whitney, she says, "I've had the greatest mentors" ? a role she tries to fill. Citing two other bosses, she adds that she's learned "from the Mike Mayos and Rich Danzes of the world" that "the more everyone knows about everyone [else's] job, the better off we all are."
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:Joined the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal's classified inside sales in 1977
Moved in 1986 to legal department as executive secretary, and a year later to production as administrative assistant
Promoted in 1995 to production coordinator/print quality. Next spring was made packaging center shift leader, and by year's end was mailroom supervisor
Interim packaging manager 1998; eventually took over as packaging manager
Promoted to production director, and, a year ago, production vice president
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