2017 Jack Kenney Award for Outstanding Service.

On April 30, 2010, Jack Kenney retired from the ASM Journals Department after 25 years of service, for the last 13 of which he was the production editor for the Journal of Bacteriology. Over the years, Jack helped countless authors, reviewers, and editors to expedite the publication of JB papers. Because of his knowledge and sincere desire to help the microbiological community navigate the publication system, all who interacted with him greatly admired him and appreciated his efforts. We all knew that Jack did what was best for all involved and therefore accepted his solutions. To me, Jack was the best possible production editor, and I learned very quickly to value his advice and judgment. Few people are blessed with the interpersonal skills to win people over like Jack. Jack’s retirement party was attended by the entire ASM journals staff as well as a number of previous JB staff members. Clearly, besides being held in high esteem by authors, reviewers, and editors, he was greatly appreciated by his colleagues in the journals division. One of his colleagues commented that Jack respected everyone and this respect was returned. On July 10, 2010, Jack died unexpectedly after a brief illness. At the August JB Editors’ meeting, the JB editors unanimously and enthusiastically voted to rename the JB Editors Award for Outstanding Service on the Editorial Board as the Jack Kenney Award for Outstanding Service on the Editorial Board. Dr. Valley Stewart is a very appropriate scientist to be the first recipient of the newly renamed award. Valley is a senior and distinguished microbiologist who has given years of service to the microbiology community. His judgment and wisdom are great assets to the JB reviewing system. In the past 3 years, Valley has reviewed 60 papers with an average review time of 11.78 days. The editors of JB are delighted to recognize and honor Valley Stewart’s service.