We made that sale because we were overflowing with ideas, talent and energy–but we lacked growth capital for product launches and acquisitions. The sale to Spire changed all that. Under Spire's Highline Media brand, we've doubled in size the past three years, acquiring a data division, publications such as the “Insurance Advocate,” “Wealth Manager,” “Research” and “Futures,” as well as live events such as this week's annual P-C Insurance Executive Conference.

Spire also invested heavily in our existing products, spending a bundle to upgrade our Web capabilities and tech infrastructure, as well as improve the look of all our publications. (I do want to take this opportunity to thank Rick Patterson and the folks at Spire for believing in NUCO and investing so heavily in us. It was a terrific partnership!)

Most of all, Spire gave us Andy Goodenough, who brought more to the table than just deep pockets and experience. (Andy had been president of the Banking Publishing/Conferences unit at Thomson Media, which put out well-known publications such as “American Banker.”) Andy brought us energy, vision and a fierce competitive drive to grow and improve while doing it. He also brought in a new, battle-hardened management team, led by our magazine division V.P., Tom Fowler.

It was a whole new era, and a very successful one. I have no doubt that our aggressive growth trend will continue with our new private equity partner, Wind Point, whose Summit Business Media brand is led by another major player in business-to-business publishing, William F. Reilly. Summit's chairman and CEO most recently filled that same duel role at F&W Publications. Prior to that, he was founder, chairman and CEO of Primedia, and before that was president of Macmillan Publishing Company.

The icing on the cake in this deal is that Wind Point concluded two acquisitions simulataneously, buying Pfingsten Publishing at virtually the same time as Highline Media. For those of you in insurance, Pfingsten publishes familar titles, such as “American Agent & Broker” in the p-c market, and “Life Insurance Selling” on the other side of the industry. They also publish a mortgage publication, as well as magazines and conferences for the art (as in real art, not Alternative Risk Transfer) and industrial markets.

This is all for the good for NU, in that we'll have a wider array of cross-selling opportunities as well as lots more cash available to expand and improve the overall company.

The bottom line, however, is your support, as readers and advertisers. You are our most valuable assets, and we very much appreciate your business. So, if you have any questions, don't hestitate to e-mail me at [email protected], or post your comment below.