David Popp

• Developed high-performing editorial and video teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth within the group.
• Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
• Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of diminishing resources while maintaining financial and workload stability for all brands within the group.
• Developed new content strategies and products for web, video, and print for all brands within the group..
• Facilitated cross-brand collaboration to improve the content creation and production workload balance within the editorial and video teams.
• Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement and boosted overall team morale, particularly during difficult seasons for the company.
• Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems related to staff and budgetary restrictions, resulting in stabilizing and streamlined operations.
• Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on content creation, production schedules, and staff work/life balance.
• Navigated the company through periods of significant change, including the transition of editorial and video teams to all-remote work during the pandemic in 2020; the frequent reorganization of brands and staffing during the final years of Kalmback Media; the transition to Firecrown Media in 2024; and the direction of the search and move to new office and studio spaces in 2024.

• Directed the Tracks Brands editorial content, staffing, budgets and print magazine production for Trains, Model Railroader, Classic Trains, Garden Railways, Classic Toy Trains, as well as all related SIPs, Annuals, and ancillary products.
• Directed the Kalmbach Video Studio for production of video content for all editorial brands, including the Tracks, Science, Jewelry, and Hobby products.
• Managed budgets for video studio and all Tracks Brands effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
• Developed content strategies for Tracks Group websites, collectively presented on Trains.com for optimal web traffic and membership retention.
• Appeared as on-camera talent for Model Railroader Video Plus and Trains.com Video, teaching customers how to design and build better models and model train layouts, including all manner of construction and modeling techniques.
• Optimized staff performance for the content and video group by developing team members to take on next-level rolls within the company.
• Offered a position with Firecrown Media when the Tracks Group was purchased from Kalmbach in 2024.

• Headed Kalmbach Media's video production department, producing content for all brands, including production work for Science, Jewelry, Snowmobiling, Tracks, and Hobby Groups.
• Assembled and developed the creative team for the video studio, including the hiring and training of assistant producers, videographers and editors, and outside contributing talent.
• Managed all studio production budgets, scheduling, and staff.
• Created Model Railroader Video Plus, Kalmbach Media's first all-digital subscription/membership brand offering.
• Developed and scheduled all production of content for the MRVP product line, maintaining tight, fast paced timelines to keep subscribers engaged.
• Coordinated promotional pieces and campaigns in close conjunction with the Marketing Team to develop cohesive video, web, and print materials for the MRVP product.
• Created spin-off content products, including a successful, long-running DVD series of MRVP content and wearable branded merchandise.
• Designed and produced the annual publication, Model Railroading the Ultimate Guide, which pioneered the use of video content reworked for print at Kalmbach Media and was recognized with a Folio Magazine award in 2018.
• Appeared as the main on-camera talent for MRVP, teaching modeling skills and techniques, as well as hosting various project series.
• Promoted to Director Trains.com in 2019.

• Served as Managing Editor for Model Railroader magazine and its two annuals and all SIPs.
• Maintained editorial standards by enforcing adherence to style guides, grammar rules, and ethical journalism principles.
• Managed a diverse team of writers, editors, and designers to produce high-quality content consistently.
• Established clear expectations for staff members, setting achievable goals that motivated them towards success.
• Worked closely with Art Director to develop innovative storytelling formats that captured audience attention and enhanced user experience.
• Promoted to Video Producer in 2011.

• Edited and wrote stories, traveled to photograph locations and conduct interviews, and worked on the production of Model Railroader magazine and its annuals and SIPs.

• Promoted from Associate Editor to Senior Editor in 2005, and given various projects and Special Issues to lead.

• Promoted to Managing Editor in 2007.

• Taught English, Speech, and Drama classes to predominantly sophomore and junior grades.
• Directed all plays and musicals in the school's extra curricular drama program during that time period.
• Left teaching on good terms to take a position with Kalmbach Media in November 2001.