Dear Readers:
Questions I'm often asked lead me to believe that some of you might like to learn more about how Government Executive operates. What is the essence of our editorial strategy? Who's in our circulation base, and how does one sign up to subscribe? How do we generate the revenue needed to stay in business?
Sometimes I'm asked if Government Executive is published by the government. The answer is no: Government officials could not, even if inclined, do a credible job of covering their own activities and those of their far-flung agencies. Key to Government Executive's credibility is our independence and our willingness to call 'em as we see 'em. Our magazine is owned by the company that publishes the well-regarded weekly National Journal, which is in turn owned by The Times Mirror Co., publisher of The Los Angeles Times.
We are dedicated to our readers; indeed we're the antithesis of the bureaucrat-bashing crowd that populates Capitol Hill and parts of the media. At the same time, we cannot turn a blind eye to government's problems, for that would hardly ring true among our 60,000 subscribers. So we have taken a wry view of the indignities managers suffer in various aspects of their jobs, turning a mirror to the federal establishment that reflects a truer image of it than can be had from inside the beast. But the fundamental purpose of our magazine is to educate-to give federal managers and executives information that will improve their ability to do their jobs. We aspire to serve these people who run the government's huge agencies and programs much in the way that Fortune or Business Week serve private-sector managers.
The federal government is just as varied as the private sector, with hundreds of agencies and employees in every conceivable profession. Government Executive serves as the public square, or the town crier, in the federal village. For the regional official, we provide a window on Washington; for the Defense official, a look into the mind-set of civilian counterparts; for the manager searching for computer solutions or advanced personnel practices, a guide to how others have approached the problem.
Our subscribers are civilian and military officials at mid- to senior-management levels. Many of you are loyal readers, renewing your subscriptions regularly and often telling colleagues about the opportunity to receive Government Executive. The magazine is sent to federal officials free of charge; the only requirement is to fill out a subscription card such as the one bound into this issue.
Our costs are covered by advertising revenues. Government is, of course, a huge purchaser of goods and services, and many of you have a say in buying decisions. Advertising in the pages of Government Executive helps with the choices you must make.
This month a new chapter begins, with the launching of what promises to be the premier World Wide Web site for the people who make the federal government work. It can be found at http://www.govexec.com. Please pay us a visit there.
With best regards,
Timothy B. Clark
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