Jack Scalisi Moving Foward

I returned home to South Florida immediately after graduating college. At that time I was a regular visitor at Cathode Ray and found myself thumbing through a copy of Hotspots Magazine looking for a new career. In the magazine was an ad saying that the magazine itself was looking for an office manager so I sent in my resume the next day.

I had managed several magazines in college and was looking forward to this possible new challenge. Later that week I interviewed with then-publisher Jason Bell and began working at Hotspots on April 15th, 2000. I was very excited about my new beginning, the new chapter in my life I was embarking on, for I felt that Hotspots was the biggest and best of its kind.

On my first day I was introduced to everyone in the office and given a tour by Jason. I was fascinated to see that the entire magazine was produced and printed all under the same roof.

Though I had some magazine experience in college, I didn't have much knowledge about the printing industry itself. I had never even seen a printing press! I knew I was going to have to learn the printing industry and learn it fast.

I became very comfortable working at Hotspots from the start. The entire staff welcomed me and I quickly became part of the family. We all became friends as well and took advantage of the many company trips we were offered, including Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco and San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was great to see how well everyone worked together. And if a problem would ever arise, everyone would come together to make sure the magazine would hit the street on time — and it did, without fail, every week.

I was confident in my responsibilities and quickly began to take on more. I was encouraged by Jason to learn as much as I could about the entire operation as well as learning about the industry and more about the business. As time went on I began to establish strong business relationships with customers, vendors and community organizations. I became more and more gratified that I played a significant role in the magazine's continued success.

Last November Hotspots changed ownership and Peter Clark became the publisher. Since that time Hotspots has evolved to new levels with great community response and success. I look back with pride knowing that I played a strong part in the transition and that evolution. Hotspots continues to show its leadership in the gay publishing industry and our local community. And, even though my capacity as Managing Editor of Hotspots has changed, I will always be a part of this great publication and the community it serves.

Now, after all these years, I've decided to move on to the next phase of my life and retire from Hotspots. However, with my long dedication and loyalty to Hotspots and the community — the community I am part of and is part of me — and after 438 issues, I'll always be: “Jack from Hotspots.”

From The Publisher
It is with mixed emotions that we say so-long to Jack Scalisi as Managing Editor of Hotspots Magazine, his gain is our loss.  I've known Jack for just over a year now yet I feel I have known him forever.  He's just the kind of guy you want to get close to, you can't quite put your finger on it but you know from the moment you meet him that he's special.

When I became the new Publisher at Hotspots last year Jack made me feel that I was part of this family from the moment I walked through the door.  Here was a man who was at the heart of the publication with a passion for perfection.  When you ask Jack about his personal life he often told me that “Hotspots is my life”.

How can we express our gratitude for such a commitment?  I'm not certain what's appropriate, but I do know that it will never be enough.

Jack will be moving on to the next phase of his professional life where his family business will take priority.   This is not goodbye; Jack will continue to be a part of this wonderful organization when time permits.  After all, we are family too!