The owners of DBM are active managers in the business, and are assisted by a growing team of dedicated professionals. We are committed to providing our customers with the highest levels of service, professionalism and integrity in the industry. The DBM team includes the following members:
CO-FOUNDERS AND OWNERS
Chris McClimon, Partner
Director, Sales & Marketing
cmcclimon@directbusinessmedia.com
Chris is publisher of Contractor Supply magazine and its website and manages select national accounts. Previously, he was publisher of Construction Supply magazine, which he co-launched with a 132-page debut issue, a first for its industry. In 1998, he helped launch Construction Distribution magazine for Cygnus Business Media. Chris directed sales and marketing for CD and the STAFDA Directory for 10 1/2 years. McClimon was named associate publisher of CD and the STAFDA Directory in 2008. Prior to joining Cygnus, Chris was with West Legal Publishing (now Thomson Reuters) in Eagan, Minn.
Tom Hammel, Partner
Editorial Director, Construction Group
thammel@directbusinessmedia.com
Tom serves as editorial director of Contractor Supply magazine and its website. Tom previously was editorial director of Construction Supply magazine, which he co-launched, and was the founding editor of Construction Distribution magazine for Cygnus Business Media in 1998. Under his editorial leadership, CD became the leading publication in its market within three years. Hammel edited the magazine for more than six years before joining Pfingsten Publishing as editor of MRO Today magazine and conference director of the Lean University conference series. Tom holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa.
Bob Stange, Partner
Former Director, Business Development
Bob has more than 30 years of experience in business publishing. He has demonstrated expertise in sales, marketing, marketing promotion and business management. Bob has traveled extensively around the country calling on businesses ranging from small entrepreneurial companies to Fortune 500 corporations, as well as distributors and business trade associations. Bob also has successfully launched 23 single-sponsored magazines, plus seven business magazines in both the trade and consumer markets.
Rich Vurva, Partner
Former Editorial Director, Industrial Group
With more than 30 years of experience in the publishing industry, Rich is editor and publisher of Industrial Supply magazine and its website. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Valparaiso University (1979) and was the founding editor of Progressive Distributor magazine (1996-2009). He also co-authored the book “Restructuring the Distribution Sales Effort for Maximum Productivity” with Scott Benfield.
Linda Scott-McCabe, Partner
Former Chief Financial Officer
Linda holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Administration from Iowa State University (1977). She has held controller positions in agricultural manufacturing and publishing firms. Linda held the position of Business Manager for a successful Fort Atkinson-based start-up publishing company, Spectrum Business Communications, from inception in 1995 through sale in 2000. Spectrum Business Communications produced business-to-business and single-sponsored publications in the construction and industrial markets.
PERSONNEL
Peggy Huckabee
Production & Administration
peghuckabee@directbusinessmedia.com
In joining our team, Peggy brings her diverse experience gained in the trade industries where she had been a consultant, finance controller, project manager and marketer. Her wide breadth of experience brings a unique perspective to our company and her entrepreneurial and business experience serves our industry well. She has over 20 years of experience with a Degree in Marketing. She is responsible for all financial and administrative functions.
Kim Phelan
Editor, Industrial Supply
kphelan@directbusinessmedia.com
Kim is a veteran magazine editor with a diverse industry background that includes distribution, as well as construction equipment, metals, and healthcare technology, to name a few.
Amy Klawitter
Creative Director
aklawitter@directbusinessmedia.com
Amy is creative director for DBM, responsible for graphic design and artistic direction on all Direct Business Media publications, Web sites and various products. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts/graphic design, she previously served as senior graphic designer for Pfingsten Publishing and Spectrum Business Communications in Fort Atkinson, Wis.
Lindsey Austin
Audience Administrator
laustin@directbusinessmedia.com
As audience administrator, Lindsey is responsible for subscriber needs. A 15-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Lindsey served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Oman. She holds bachelors degrees in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology, and a Master's in Business Administration.