Gail A. Oare, director of publications and marketing, has announced her retirement from the Materials Research Society effective June 30, 2011.

Since 1984, Oare has been instrumental in the growth of the MRS publications program and in the development of the Materials Research Society as a whole. During her 27 years at MRS she has served as director of meeting activities, director of membership affairs, and currently, director of publications and marketing. In these roles Oare has guided MRS publications, marketing, membership, public relations, meetings, and information technology. Her leadership has included interactions with volunteers across the spectrum of MRS committees, including Membership, Academic Affairs, Government Affairs, Awards, Public Outreach, International Relations, Publications, and Meetings Quality.

Oare has played a pivotal role in every one of the MRS publications, engaging in the startup and growth of the long-standing MRS Symposium Proceedings series, MRS Bulletin, and Journal of Materials Research (JMR). Most recently, Oare’s expertise and knowledge was invaluable as MRS made the strategic decision to join forces with a publishing partner—she was a catalyst for the strategic planning effort leading to the partnership with Cambridge University Press. During this time, Oare’s key responsibilities also included coordinating the integration of the new MRS association management system, content management system, and website with Cambridge University Press, while also collaborating with MRS volunteer leadership to launch the Society’s new publications efforts.

“Through Gail’s leadership, the groundwork has been laid for new publication products, including MRS Communications, the first new major archival journal from MRS since JMR launched in 1986,” said Todd M. Osman, executive director of MRS. “Gail’s accomplishments, spanning the course of her entire MRS career, leave the Society positioned for continued growth, evolution, and success.”

Eileen Kiley Novak (left) and Gail A. Oare.

Adds MRS President Jim De Yoreo, “Gail has been a mainstay of this Society—a professional, positive member of the MRS staff—who has provided our members with products and services of the highest quality. I know I speak for our entire membership when I say she will be greatly missed.”

Succeeding Oare as director of publications and marketing is Eileen Kiley Novak. Throughout her 11 years at MRS, Novak has worked closely with staff and volunteers as liaison to publication committees, editorial boards, and task forces. She has steered JMR and the MRS Proceedings series from classic print to electronic manuscript processing and delivery. In her most recent role as assistant director of publications, Novak has led efforts to enhance the MRS publications portfolio, including the launch of MRS Communications. She has also shepherded several recent book projects from concept through publication, including the Handbook of Modern Ion Beam Materials Analysis, Second Edition, and the forthcoming textbook, Fundamentals of Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability.

Before joining MRS, Novak worked as acquisitions editor at the University of Pittsburgh Press. She holds a BA degree in English as well as a Masters of Business Administration. She is an active member of the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), co-chairing the Annual Meeting Program Committee in 2010 and 2011. She was recently elected to the SSP Board of Directors for a three-year term which began in June 2011.

“MRS is rapidly evolving its communications portfolio and Eileen is poised to take our publications efforts to the next level,” said Osman. “As we move forward with new ventures, her knowledge of both the publications industry and the materials research community are great assets for the MRS Publications Committee and Cambridge University Press.”

Watch MRS Bulletin and the MRS website in the coming months for developing news on MRS publications and services.