KALAMAZOO – James Stephanak, former publisher of the Kalamazoo Gazette and executive with MLive Media Group, has joined Team Support Services as Chief Marketing Officer. In this new role, Stephanak will oversee all sales and marketing initiatives, which include business development, account management and customer relations for the records and information management company.
?With his rich experience in business, communications and community engagement, Jim brings the right elements to help take TSS to the next level,? said Charles Fierke, partner at TSS. ?We?re delighted to have him join our team.?
Stephanak, who started with the locally based company on Sept. 1, leads Business Development, one of three TSS ?centers of excellence.? He will work in concert with the leaders of the other two centers:
? Jeffrey McParlan, who heads Enterprise Operations as the company?s Chief Operations Officer. Enterprise Operations includes global customer inquiry management, electronic and physical archive services, inventory management and information technology.
? Peter Fierke, leading Resource Governance in his role as Chief Financial Officer. Resource Governance covers vendor management, finance and human resources.
?The responsibilities that Jim, Jeff and Pete fulfill have evolved along with our business,? Charles Fierke said. ?TSS was founded on the belief that access to information leads to better business decisions. That philosophy has allowed us to build strong alliances and deliver exquisite customer service. With this leadership expertise, our top-notch employees and our community engagement, TSS has the right mix for continued success.?
Stephanak comes to Team Support Services after serving as director of administration for strategic implementation at MLive Media Group, which includes the Kalamazoo Gazette. He was publisher and chief executive officer of the Gazette from 2004 until this year. Before then, he served 11 years in leadership roles, including general manager, at the Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa., after spending the previous 13 years at the Grand Rapids Press in circulation, advertising and sales. He is a U.S.Navy veteran.
