Rodale Announces Plans to Begin Search For New President

Posted on September 27, 1999

Rodale has announced that it was beginning the search for a new President and Chief Operating Officer to succeed Robert J. Teufel. Teufel has served as president of Rodale since 1979, and will remain in his current position during the search process, which is expected to take "at least 6 months. Once a successor has been chosen, Teufel will oversee a short-term transition period. Following its completion, he will continue to serve on the company Board of Directors and as an executive management advisor.

In announcing the search, Teufel said, "In order for Rodale to identify and find the best possible candidate to be my successor, we should begin the process as soon as possible." While he had previously announced plans to retire at age 65 in the year 2002, Teufel felt that "decisions affecting the future of the company and its long-term strategic goals should be made by someone with a longer commitment."

Teufel joined Rodale in 1961. He was appointed Vice President in 1967, and took up his current role as President in 1979. He has won numerous industry awards, including induction into the Direct Marketing Association Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Henry Johnson Fisher Award from the Magazine Publishers of America in 1999.

Rodale is a global leader in healthy active living information. Its publications include magazines such as Men's Health, Prevention, New Woman, Runner's World, Backpacker, Bicycling, Mountain Bike, Fitness Swimmer, Rodale's Scuba Diving and Organic Gardening. Rodale Books publishes nearly 100 new books each year and maintains an active backlist of more than 300 titles, including The Doctors Book of Home Remedies, which has more than 10 million copies in print.