Customer Account Manager
Working at Boxcar since: June 13, 2007.
A typical day: I answer a lot of phone calls and emails — basically I talk to customers all day and help answer everyone’s questions. I also order supplies so people can buy them and give the occasional shop tour.
Background: I studied Communications and Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. I got married to a Navy guy, moved to Norfolk, Virginia and got a Mass Communications degree from Norfolk State University. I started out in television news and then moved to advertising and marketing for a few years before I was introduced to letterpress at Boxcar.
Prized possession: my family is my prized possession.
A cause you believe in: I’m very interested in Parkinson’s research and finding a cure. My mother has it and I am learning as much as I can about it.
A little known secret: some people here are very creative and have many ‘hidden talents’ — we have a lot of artists, musicians, etc.
Important book: the Bible.
If you’re visiting Syracuse, don’t miss: Skaneateles Lake and the town of Skaneateles, the State Fair, and the zoo.
President
Working at Boxcar since: October 1998.
Background: I’m from Maryland originally. An art degree from Carleton College led me to the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and letterpress.
Prized possession: An Ames Thickness Measure that used to belong to my grandfather originally.
A cause you believe in: Protecting the forests and their natural habitat.
A little known secret: I really couldn’t imagine having more than 5 people when I started Boxcar Press.
If you’re visiting Syracuse, don’t miss: A hike on the Onondaga spur of the Finger Lakes Trail.
Letterpress child watcher. Co-owner. Writer.
Working at Boxcar since: June 2002.
Background: I grew up in Chicagoland, went to college in a small farm town in Minnesota where I met Harold (I majored in history), worked in PR for Minneapolis Public Schools for a few years, then got my MFA from Syracuse in creative writing. If you count Harold as the first employee of Boxcar Press, I was the second, signing up in my second year of graduate school to avoid teaching comp to freshmen (but also Harold needed help! Our basement was a mess!). Now I’m taking time off from the day to day of Boxcar to spend time writing and watching the Boxcar kids grow tall.
Prized possession: my cookbook collection. Yes, it is getting out of hand. And yes, I cannot bring myself to get rid of any of it, even A Taste of Scotland.
A cause you believe in: vegetarianism (we’re raising the two Boxcar kids as vegetarians too). Mark Bittman said it pretty well: eat less meat, save the world.
A little known secret: back when the Boxcar blog first started in 2004 (when the internet was young and reckless and nobody knew about seo), I used to have a series called “what is Harold wearing now?” which was all about what Harold was wearing that day. Does this sound fascinating? It was for me at least! I miss those times a little.
Important book: Marlen Haushofer’s The Wall (I even wrote an essay about it)
If you’re visiting Syracuse, don’t miss: Labrador Hollow — only 35 minutes away and totally amazing hiking, waterfalls, and views.
Prepress manager. Graphic designer.
Working at Boxcar since: February 2006.
A typical day: usually I come in, turn on the computer. I check the current jobs that are going into production, and then I check on commercial and internal jobs. I also create layouts for customer approval and send files to film.
Background: I grew up in Massena, New York, and went to school in Central New York. I attended Plattsburgh for college. I have courses and degrees from B. Ramer Tech and a BFA from Plattsburgh State. I’ve worked for five companies as a graphic designer. I was also a runner for 13 years, and competed in 9 states and 3 countries, and even ran against olympians in high school and college. I did a variety of events (anything from the 200m up to a mile) but my favorite was the 400m hurdles.
Prized possession: a ceramic bear that my parents gave to me when I was born.
A cause you believe in: First Tee of America — it’s a youth organization that helps promote morality in children through sports. I grew up playing sports so I know the benefits of team sports.
A little known secret: Jasper (the Boxcar kid) knows every single country on a world map.
Important book: 1984, George Orwell.
If you’re visiting Syracuse, don’t miss: Dinosaur Barbeque – that’s where we usually take out of towners.