Modern Machine Shop Announces New Editor-in-Chief

Gardner Business Media Inc. announces that Brent Donaldson is the new editor-in-chief of Modern Machine Shop. Donaldson will lead an editorial team of journalists devoted to reporting on the latest news and trends in the industrial manufacturing industry. He will also guide content direction and development for the multi-channel media outlet including for MMSonline.com, the MMS Extra e-Newsletter and the MMS The Shop e-Newsletter.

“What we’ve all been through since March 2020 proves that the dynamics in our industry move and change at lightspeed. It is vital to the sustainability and growth of a manufacturer’s business to stay ahead of the curve,” Donaldson shares. “Here at Modern Machine Shop, providing the insight into the latest innovations and technologies that shops need most to be successful today and long into the future is embedded deep inside our marrow. I am honored to lead that charge for the metalworking community.”

Donaldson joined Gardner Business Media in 2017 as editor and feature writer for Modern Machine Shop. He also founded and is now the co-host, producer and editor of the brand’s documentary-style podcast, “Made in the USA.” Prior to Modern Machine Shop, Donaldson served for nearly a decade as editor-in-chief of his alma mater’s alumni publication, NKU Magazine, where he honed his ability to distill technical academic research into feature stories for a broad audience. He also served for several years as a feature writer and editor for Cincinnati Magazine, where he wrote about topics ranging from true crime to governmental affairs to professional mixed martial arts. In 2018, Ripley’s Believe It or Not hired Donaldson to launch the iconic brand’s first longform podcast, Ripley’s Believe It or Notcast, which he wrote, co-hosted and edited as a side job for two years. Fun facts: He was the last journalist ever to interview Evel Knievel and his work has appeared in regional and national magazines garnering numerous awards for feature news writing.

“The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to introduce fresh editorial leadership for Modern Machine Shop. Brent has proven repeatedly that he has the combination of talent and curiosity that makes Modern Machine Shop the leader in the field,” Bryce Ellis, Gardner’s vice president of metalworking media, notes. “His ability to understand and explain the ins and outs of new metalworking technology makes him the perfect leader for Modern Machine Shop and our team.”

Peter Zelinski, Modern Machine Shop’s most recent editor-in-chief, will continue to serve the brand as editorial director. In his new role, Zelinski will help guide the day-to-day efforts of the editorial team and continue to provide unique and expert coverage on manufacturing technology.