Kiona Publishing Inc.

STAFF

	Wil Byers Editor in Chief wilbyers@kionapublishing.com Wil Byers came to the Tri-Cities on December 10, 1979, to work for Westinghouse Hanford as an instrument technician during the construction of the Fast Flux Test Facility. Later, Wil worked as an engineer; he designed security systems, and supported those designs and others by providing engineered solutions. All his life, Wil has been an aviation and model aviation enthusiast. His love of aviation led him to begin writing articles for magazines in 1981, a passion he continued throughout the years. In 1993, Wil and a partner decided to launch Kiona Publishing with the sole purpose of publishing a new magazine for model aviation enthusiasts. That magazine was Sailplane & Electric Modeler, now renamed Quiet Flyer. By 2003, Kiona Publishing launched a second magazine, 3-D Flyer, to specifically focus on topics of interest to three-dimensional (3-D) model aviation enthusiasts. These two well-respected magazines have a broad following among modelers and aviation enthusiasts worldwide. Loving the Tri-Cities and the many features that make the Mid-Columbia a great place to live, Wil has long wanted to publish a lifestyle magazine focused specifically on the Mid-Columbia region. Late in 2004, Wil decided that Kiona Publishing would bring out just such a new magazine in 2006, and he added this goal to the company’s business plan. The new magazine, called Mid-Columbian, will deliver content that is designed to attract attention to the Mid-Columbia region. It will have high-quality photos and stories about a wide range of things that make the Mid-Columbia unique, from antique shops, restaurants, and vineyards to special events like the Columbia Cup, and from day hikes and other family-friendly activities to the many organizations and people who contribute to our communities. Mid-Columbian magazine will be distributed throughout the West Coast. Be sure to look for the May/June 2006 issue of Mid-Columbian to appear on newsstands, in bookstores, and on the Web!
	Bess Byers Vice President bessbyers@kionapublishing.com Bess Byers shares ownership of Kiona Publishing. Her duties include accounting and bookkeeping. In her third year at Washington State University, Bess is majoring in public relations with a minor in journalism and marketing. She enjoys wakeboarding and snowboarding.
	Mary Ellen Gates Managing Editor Mary Ellen Gates has been working with Kiona Publishing since April 2007, as managing editor of RC Sport Flyer and Mid-Columbian. She also writes articles for Mid-Columbian. Mary Ellen graduated from Oregon State University in 1990. She shares a home in Richland with her husband, two teenage daughters, two cats, and one lucky dog.
	Ben Stewart Art Director graphics@kionapublishing.com Ben is the art director for Kiona Publishing, and is responsible for graphic design, Web design, and Web support.


	Zhe Meng Graphic Designer