Georgia Magazine - January 2015 - 13

PARKER C. SMITH

ROBB HELFRICK

JENNIFER J. HEWETT

Ann Orowski, far right, with, from left, Laine
Wood, Laurel George and Oconee EMC
President/CEO Marty Smith, April 2004

... with the late Truett Cathy of Chick-ﬁl-A,
February 2005

... with UGA Football Coach Mark Richt and
wife Katharyn, July 2008

The 'rest' of the story...

PARKER C. SMITH

GEORGIA Magazine Editor Ann Orowski retires

PARKER C. SMITH

... at the Georgia Aquarium, March 2006

... with the late radio legend Ludlow Porch,
January 2006

... with retired Amicalola EMC CEO Bob
Payne at their annual meeting, 2012
January 2015

Why did you decide on a career in
journalism? And how did you end up
at GEORGIA Magazine?
An 11th-grade journalism teacher
inspired me and instilled an enthusiasm
for making print media more creative.
The next year, I enjoyed being managing editor of the high school newspaper.
Turning ideas into words and visuals is
where communication starts; it helped
being the daughter of a theologian and
an English teacher. Other editors-
"word-mongers, too"-were mentors.
At the University of Georgia's
Grady College of Journalism, I rounded
out my degree in magazine journalism
with photography and graphic design.
I thought I was heading for New York
City, but after a few stops at other publications, I landed at GEORGIA Magazine.
What are some of your favorite
moments from the past 20-plus years
working here?
The best part, after the editing and
design processes ("are we having fun
yet, staff?"), is the satisfaction of seeing the ﬁnished product-and having it
so well-received by readers. Memorable
moments include laughing with the late
Ludlow Porch, chatting with First Lady
Sandra Deal or having Truett Cathy show
me his car collection.
What will you miss about interacting with readers? Georgia's electric
co-ops?
I liked the feedback on stories and
the new ideas I received almost daily.
I will miss the love readers seem to
have for "their" publication. That was
More online at www.georgiamagazine.org

our goal all along-to make the magazine
"theirs. As for the folks who work at the
"
co-ops, they'll always be family.
What are you looking forward to in
your retirement?
No deadlines! After 40-plus years of
meeting press schedules, it will be nice
to spend more time with family-and
have some free time!
What are you most proud of during
your tenure?
The recognition by so many that this
is really Georgia's magazine, and that it
represents our state and its people well.
The magazine also increased its average
monthly circulation from about 200,000
copies in 1994 to its current 525,000
copies, due to increased participation by
the electric co-ops. I like to think this was
a result of providing a more appealing
product for getting the co-op message
read by members.
What was your favorite feature story
and why?
Well, of course, it was my November
2010 cover story on Honor Flight, "Thank
a veteran!" I was honored to make the
trip to Washington, D.C., as a guardian for
my dad, Jim Austin, a World War II vet. I,
too, was greeted with fanfare and ﬂagwaving, and nothing replaces ﬁrst-hand
experience when writing a story.
What was the funniest moment?
There have been many times when
the staff and I found ourselves in tears,
laughing about a letter or funny story.
Those are golden memories.
13
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Georgia Magazine - January 2015

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