On behalf of Business Publications Corp., I’m proud to announce that Business Record Publisher and Executive Editor Chris Conetzkey has been elected to the board of directors of the Alliance of Area Business Publishers, an industry association that represents approximately 65 business publications North America. Appointment to AABP’s highly respected board is a testament to Chris’ talent and leadership in the field of business journalism, and continues BPC’s legacy of industry leadership. 

AABP was founded in 1979 to bring together city and regional magazines and tabloids throughout North America and has extended internationally to Canada and Australia. Member organizations include Crain’s Chicago Business, Florida Trend and Biz New Orleans. The Business Record is one of the smaller markets in the alliance and makes Chris’ inclusion on the board all the more significant.

Chris’ election to AABP is no surprise to those who have followed his career and his leadership in the community. Chris joined the Business Record over 10 years ago as a staff writer following his graduation from Iowa State University’s Greenlee School of Journalism. After a short stint at ESPN, he was recruited back to the Business Record and promoted to editor. Most recently, he was elevated to his current role of publisher and executive editor; in this capacity, he oversees all of the Business Record’s extensive array of products, the newsroom, and a team of writers, designers, photographers and account executives. He has overseen the significant expansion of the Business Record product line and has been responsible for multiple digital enhancements.

Chris’ leadership at BPC and the Business Record has been exemplary over the years, but during the pandemic and recent economic volatility, his focus on our readers and our community has been unwavering and forward-thinking. Chris truly strives to help businesses do business better. That approach extends not only to reporting or coverage of the economy, markets or transactions but also to corporate responsibility; diversity, equity and inclusiveness; and the health and wellness of Iowa’s workforce.

In addition to the AABP board, Chris serves on the advisory board for the Iowa State University Greenlee School of Journalism, the board of the Iowa Newspaper Association, and the publication board for the Iowa State Daily, at which during college he was a sports reporter and editor in chief during his senior year.

Chris follows in the footsteps of BPC founder and chair Connie Wimer and former President Janette Larkin, both of whom served on the AABP board. Please join me in congratulating Chris on this prestigious appointment.