Veteran journalist acquires respected construction magazine

By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
macmeske@ibjonline.com

A 55-year-old, continuously publishing construction magazine recently welcomed its new owner.

Journalist and entrepreneur Kerry Smith, editor of St. Louis Construction News and Review Magazine, on Nov. 1 completed the purchase of the publication from its current owner and publisher Michael Chollet. 

Smith, whose experience as a print and broadcast journalist spans 30 years, says she is humbled and delighted at the opportunity to take the helm of a magazine that has provided intelligent, positive coverage of commercial construction projects and issues since 1969. Smith was also the Illinois Business Journal’s founder and first editor.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” says Smith. “I’ve loved working for and with Mike Chollet and his wife, Teri Finan, for seven years now. Their confidence in me means a lot as we continue growing an intelligently written, insightful product that features the substantial industry expertise that St. Louis’ built environment executives and teams are known for.”

Acknowledging the increasing digitally based resources that equip architecture, engineering and construction professionals in telling their stories, CNR will soon be rolling out its new look, to include digital and print offerings and an expanded footprint in the podcast space. While St. Louis construction projects and issues will continue to play a major role in the original, brick-by-brick, gritty content that the publication is long known for, Smith says a broader digital presence will enable CNR’s editorial staff to follow, support and write about St. Louis-based firms’ projects – no matter where they’re being built across the U.S.

“We’re excited to continue delivering top-notch, original coverage of major construction builds and issues across the St. Louis region,” says Smith, “while also shining the spotlight on our loyal St. Louis contractors, subcontractors, vendors and suppliers wherever they’re delivering their projects.”

Michael Chollet has owned St. Louis CNR Magazine for more than a decade. His spouse, Teri Finan, is the youngest child of St. Louis CNR Founder Thomas J. Finan, Jr., who launched the publication in 1969. Smith says she counts Chollet and Finan among her closest friends and industry colleagues. 

A limited number of digital and print content package opportunities are now available for 2024. To gain information on how to partner with CNR, contact Smith at kerry@stlouiscnr.com or (618) 225-2253.

 

This story also appears in the November 2023 print edition of the Illinois Business Journal.