Lake Superior Magazine Photo Contest

From left:, , , , , , , , , , Cindy Hayden. (Not pictured:, .)

Konnie LeMay, editor

What is your title and what do you do? Editor. Basically I develop the outlines and plans for upcoming magazine issues, working with our staff editors and freelance writers and photographers. I edit and shepherd all book projects. I oversee the editorial department in general and proof read other materials – subscription cards to puzzle boxes – as needed. When two-cents are sought on project ideas, I always have at least a penny's worth of advice to offer.

What do you like best about your job? Chatting with readers and having contact with writers and photographers; getting to do stories myself sometimes (I never intended to be an editor – just a reporter); and knowing that sometimes I really am able to edit something that makes it better.

Where are you from originally? I'm living in the house I grew up in. I'm from here!

What is your favorite hobby/activity? Hanging with my husband, Bob, and my four-footed child, Turbo Rachel. Anytime I get to stand on the Lake shore. Going to the dog park.

Bob Berg, managing editor

What is your title and what do you do? I’m the managing editor. For each issue, I write stories for the travel and events section and shoot photos for these and other articles. I help to compile events listings for the magazine and the magazine’s website calendar. I assist with editing features and departments and proof the final pages of the magazine. I also coordinate, update, edit and provide some photos for our annual Lake Superior Travel Guide. In recent years, I’ve written an opening feature story for the guide. This year the story is about major annual events.

What do you like best about your job? I enjoy talking with people and writing stories about a variety of subjects, from recreation and tourism to entertainment and history. I learn new things working on these stories. I also love taking photos and trying to improve my photographic skills. It’s been great fun. Then there’s the whole aspect of copy editing – reading through stories and finding little things to fix; that’s something I really enjoy as well.

Where are you from originally? I am originally from Austin, Minnesota, in the southern part of the state.

What is your favorite hobby/activity? I would say watching movies.

What Bob didn’t tell you, but we know: He’s dad to a new rescue pup, Turbo Rachel, or as he likes to quote a friend’s assessment of her: “Oh, oh … boing!”

Amy Larsen, art & production manager

What is your title and what do you do? I am the art and production manager. My job touches almost everything we do, from getting new envelopes printed to publishing magazines, books, placemats, puzzles, etc. I work with our photographers and designers and shepherd projects through to the printers and producers. I work directly with those providers, getting bids and serving as the contact.

What do you like best about your job? I’ve worked in the printing industry for a long time and love using my knowledge to help to produce such a fantastic magazine and all of the great stuff we carry in our catalog and outlet store.

Where are you from originally? Except for spending grade school in California, I was born and raised in Duluth. I’ve dreamt of moving to a warm sunny place, but there is just something special about living in Duluth and near the Lake.

What is your favorite hobby/activity? For several years, I have been riding a motorcycle and love every minute of it. My husband and I take a road trip with friends every year to a different part of the United States. We sure have a beautiful country, and I plan to ride most of it. Make sure you put the Lake Superior Circle Tour on your bucket list. It’s a beautiful ride and one of my favorites.

What Amy didn’t tell you, but we know: She has ridden her Harley-Davidson Sportster in Duluth every month of the year except January. Watch out, January!

Phil Bencomo, assistant editor & digital coordinator

What is your title and what do you do? I’m the assistant editor and digital coordinator. Some of what I do is very traditional – report for the magazine, proof pages and so forth – but as digital coordinator, I manage our social media and maintain the website, keeping us up to speed on the latest in digital publishing. My position is a hybrid, bridging the old media world and the new.

What do you like best about your job? I enjoy the variety, from meeting interesting people at events like Gales of November to creating new stuff for the web. I might write a news story, update our website and design web pages all in the same day – same hour, even. It’s never dull, always something new to learn. That’s the way I like it. Working right next to the Lake is pretty great, too.

Where are you from originally? Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

What is your favorite hobby/activity? Just one? I’ll cheat and lump it all into “staying active” – biking around town and running on Duluth’s trails. I play volleyball year-round. When the weather keeps me indoors, I do a lot of reading.

What Phil didn’t tell you, but we know: The Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism graduate survived his first full Lake Superior winter with only one question, reasonably pondering whether Duluth really needed 50.8 inches of snow in April.

Tanya Bäck, graphic designer

I am the graphic designer;­ I create the design and layout of the magazine. I help to visualize the stories that our contributors and editors work so hard to write. I’ve loved every minute of it!