CQ's Loss

This event actually happened at 4 p.m. June 18th. We are all still in a kind of a fog - except for Jana, who is taking charge of the situation and planning for a smooth transition. What a remarkable display of responsibility!

Messages of support can be received at jsteiger@cq.com at least until June 30.

Here is the official CQ announcement - I'm thinking that they will live to regret this action:

Subject: Announcement
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:40:59 -0400
From: Mike Riley
To: CQ Everyone

As you know, much of Congressional Quarterly’s recent success has arisen from the success of CQ.com, a deep, rich and powerful Web site that is fueled by the news, analysis and information we provide on Congress, politics and public policy. As we move into the future, the role of CQ.com is going to become ever more central to our ongoing success, and we will be well served to focus much effort on improving and enriching our online offerings and products.

To make that happen, we will rely even more heavily on our Innovation Department, with our success depending on our ability to think smart, work collaboratively, innovate spectacularly and act quickly.

With those goals in mind, I am consolidating the Innovation Department under Ken Sands. The first step will involve merging Editorial Product Development, directed by Jana Steiger, into the Editorial Operations of CQ.com. This consolidation, which should allow us to move more effectively, will create a single operation to be run by John Dineen. This change will take place on July 1, 2008.

The position of Director of Editorial Product Development will be
eliminated. This means that Jana Steiger, who has brought great passion, talent and creativity to her various roles in a long and distinguished career at Congressional Quarterly, will be leaving our midst. Her last day in the office will be June 30, 2008. She will be sorely missed.

In the coming months, we plan to spend much time and energy focusing on imagining the next generation of CQ.com, and this consolidation is a necessary first step to take us down that road.

-----------------------------------------------
Michael Riley
Editor
Congressional Quarterly
1255 22nd St NW
Washington, DC 20037


Necessary? I strongly question the necessity, but I am notoriously prejudiced!

Jana has been receiving hugs, calls, and emails of encouragement, some of which are here:

-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan
Sent: Thu 6/19/2008 4:45 PM
To: Jana Steiger
Subject: WTF

What's going on?

Jon

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe
Sent: Thu 6/19/2008 4:54 PM
To: Jana Steiger
Subject: RE: Announcement

I hope they're giving you a massive severance package. And I hope you're able to thumb your nose at all of this, and take a job somewhere else, at an insane salary level.

But your value can't necessarily be measured in dollars, either.

Should I be angry? Or happy for you?

-----Original Message-----
From: Katherine
Sent: Thu 6/19/2008 5:01 PM
To: Jana Steiger
Subject: oh

i am sad beyond words.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kit
Sent: Thu 6/19/2008 6:05 PM
To: Jana Steiger
Subject: Let me know

If you need help with getting a resume designed or a portfolio website built or anything I can help you with let me know

I'm on vacation next week but after that I can help

-----Original Message-----
From: Jesse
Sent: Thu 6/19/2008 7:04 PM
To: Jana Steiger
Subject: FW: Announcement

Jana! Oh no! I don't even know what to say. This is unbelievable.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave
Sent: Thu 6/19/2008 7:51 PM
To: Jana Steiger
Subject: [Fwd: Announcement]

Hi Jana,

This is very shocking news. I'm not sure how we're going to be able to
do what we do without you here. I don't really understand this change.
It seems strange and I have lots of questions.

Even though we haven't interacted much since I moved, I consider you one
of my best friends at CQ and I'm going to miss you. Regardless of people
rearranging departments, were there any other positions at CQ that
interest you?

Thanks for always being so nice to me!

Sincerely,
Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul
Sent: Thu 6/19/2008 7:57 PM
To: Jana Steiger
Subject: When the Napkin Hits the Table

Hi Jana ---

Really sorry that I missed you today --- I've been out and about. Do you want to get together? I'm out of the office tomorrow, but in the area and available --- and around all next week.

Don't want to say too much over email, but I think that this deal really, really sucks.

PZ