IN MEMORIAM
Miles Z . Epstein , the talented editor and savvy businessman , who transformed COMMERCE Magazine into the flagship publication of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey , died last month .
He was the editor-in-chief and president of COMMERCE for the past 22 years . His brother , David , spoke of Miles ’ dedication during the graveside service at Mount Eden Cemetery in Hawthorne , N . Y .
“ Miles was always excited when he would close an ad sale with his dear friend Stu ,” David said , adding : “ But foremost , Miles was a journalist . He was a perfectionist when it came to writing . Really an amazing writer who if I asked for help putting a paragraph together , would send me back a masterpiece in a few minutes .”
His career started early with his first by-line when he was still in high school . It was published in Proceedings , the same magazine featured in the Hunt for Red October , David said . Miles went on to become the youngest managing editor of the American Legion Magazine .
While there he met politicians and military leaders and wrote many articles in service to our nation ’ s veterans . Miles was incredibly supportive of veterans and throughout his career found ways to honor and recognize their sacrifice .
During his tenure at the American Legion , Miles was cited for his work at a Washington , D . C ., ceremony , where his parents , Arthur and Tess , as well as his brother were invited to share in the honor . They were so proud as Capt . Red McDaniel , a Vietnam veteran and former POW , presented Miles with a plaque .
After leaving the veterans publication , Miles went on to other communications positions , including editor-in-chief of Podiatry Today , a Dowden Publication , and director of firmwide communications for the accounting firm , KPMG , headquartered in Montvale .
In 2001 he was hired by the business advocacy organization , Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey , to steer its struggling magazine . CIANJ Chairwoman Audrey Murphy said : “ Miles will always be remembered for his tireless commitment to COMMERCE Magazine . He was a very talented writer and editor . Under his guidance over the past 22 years , he transformed COMMERCE into a widely respected , informative and entertaining magazine .”
CIANJ President Anthony Russo , said : “ Miles defined what an editor is supposed to be for a magazine . From generating the ideas for stories , to writing them , and laying them out , he was relentless in making sure the final product met our standards , which is not easy task given the timelines and effort involved in producing a monthly magazine .
“ He was dedicated to his craft and always worked hard to deliver a magazine that our readers enjoyed . His work ethic and commitment will be missed . We thank our colleague Miles for his efforts and we wish his family peace during these difficult times .”
John Galandak , the former president of CIANJ who worked with Miles for more than a decade , emphasized that his old friend and former colleague “ made the magazine his own and not simply a way to earn a living .”
Galandak said : “ Most people enjoyed reading the magazine each month , but few knew what it took to produce an issue of a general business publication every 20 days . He could write about anything or anybody and make it interesting , informative , and relevant to New Jersey . His vast network of contacts developed over the years , and his persistence , enabled readers to enjoy original interviews with countless national and international luminaries . A perfect example of this was Miles ’ interview with General Norman Schwarzkopf to
Miles Z . Epstein
“ He could write an issue over the course of a weekend , if he needed to do it ." introduce a segment on leadership . Miles had no concept of an eighthour workday – he worked until it was done , perfectly . Excellence was part of his DNA . While others proofread for him , Miles personally proofread every issue at least six times .
“ My colleagues at CIANJ worked hard every day to serve our members and advance the Association ’ s mission , but no one worked harder or with more effectiveness than Miles Epstein . He had an unparalleled commitment to excellence , the professional skills , vision , and the work ethic necessary to take what was a good publication and transform it into the flagship publication of CIANJ . It takes many hats to produce a quality magazine . At most publications editors play a very specific role . At COMMERCE Miles played every role . How fortunate we all were to have known Miles and count him as colleague and friend .”
Larry Feld , a former CIANJ board member who served as a sort of liaison to the magazine for many years , recalled Miles fondly . “ He could write an issue over the course of a weekend , if he needed to do it . He often glued together the broken words of busy CEOs and their internal junior marketers into coherent tapestries that made everyone look great ,” Feld said , while recognizing Miles ’ business prowess too .
“ Miles was a fierce and fearless businessman ,” Feld emphasized too . “ If an issue was light on advertising , he got on the phone ( and on emails , of course ) to sell an idea and make a deal to the right people ; then turn that idea into crisp pages ; and in the end turn those pages into profitable ad sales .”
The magazine ’ s content often also reflected Miles ’ hobbies and interests . “ Miles was an unabashed fan . From Jeter to Springsteen , Miles was a sucker for sports and certain New Jersey musicians ,” Feld said . “ He managed to find a business angle behind his thinly veiled fandom , but we all knew . And somehow , it usually worked . It also sometimes infuriated the bosses of the association .”
Feld recalled one former CIANJ president , Richard Goldberg , would get upset by the magazine ’ s emphasis on sports stars . Miles ’ retort was that readers want to know the business side of these stars . “ But we all knew : he was a fan ,” Feld said .
The Yankees have a special place in the heart of Stu Bodow , the advertising sales director for COMMERCE . That bond was part of the reason they worked so well together for 18 years until Bodow ’ s retirement in 2021 .
The former ad director said they spoke on the phone virtually every day because Miles worked remotely during most of his tenure . Bodow said their conversations began with editorial ideas and brainstorming over ad prospects , but it invariably went to sports and particularly their beloved Yankees .
Bodow visited Miles often in the hospital over the past few months and brought a radio so he could listen to Yankee games .
“ Miles made me a better business professional in my role as sales and marketing director . His objective was to make each issue better than the previous one and provide me the opportunity to achieve successful advertising revenue results . He took no vacation time off and worked nearly every weekend . And , because of that , COMMERCE flourished ,” Bodow said .
Miles ’ great loves were his family , the magazine , and his dogs . David said Miles had two beloved friends that he adopted , Freckles and Brice . “ Miles would do anything for them and he loved them so much ,” David said .
In recognition of Miles ’ love for dogs , his family ’ s wishes are that donations in his memory be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind .
22 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com