As some of you may already know, ASE’s Director of Communications and EPTW! Editor Joe DeSantis retired recently. Joe was with ASE for over 18 years and made many great contributions while here.
Joe wasn’t new to ASE when he became an employee. Prior to joining us, Joe was an HR Manager at an ASE member organization and had called in many times for member services. Over Joe’s 18-year career at ASE he held various positions. He started out part-time running the ASE Assessment Center. Joe had many positive interactions with members during this time. While Joe was excelling in that position, I knew when we created the everythingpeople.™ Magazine and ASE Update (now everythingpeople.™ This Week!) that Joe would be the perfect person to manage and edit these. Joe always had a passion for writing, and in fact, had taught English years before coming to ASE. When I spoke with Joe about this new position he was very excited and thankfully accepted. After working in this new communications role for some time, I remember him saying, “Wow, I never realized I could do something I love so much and make a living doing it.” He often told me, “This is the best job I’ve ever had.” Joe’s passion for the written word was evident in his writing. He was an expert at taking complex issues and breaking them down into easy-to-understand concepts. We are so grateful to have had him on our team.
everythingpeople.™ quickly became Joe’s passion. He also continued his love for teaching others and often taught ASE business writing and grammar classes. He would hold internal courses for fellow employees as well as teach member training classes.
Although we all miss Joe dearly, we are so thankful for his many years here at ASE and wish him well during this new life venture–retirement. Although we will miss having Joe start off birthday songs in the office, we know he’ll use those skills singing in his barbershop quartet group around Metro Detroit. Joe is a long-standing member of the Detroit Oakland Chapter of the Gentlemen Songsters Chorus. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, Patsy, at their second home in northern Michigan. He shares my passion for the Detroit Tigers, and I have admit that I’m just a tad envious of his new found time to attend all the games he desires. Enjoy, Joe! We wish you farewell and nothing but the best in retirement.
At this time I’d also like to introduce to you our new Communications Manager, Heather Nezich. Heather comes to us with more than 15 years of communications experience across various industries. She has quickly stepped in as the EPTW! editor, and we are excited to welcome her to the ASE family.