 |
|
| Kathleen W. Andrews | |
Kathleen Andrews, former vice chairman of Andrews McMeel Universal and CEO of Andrews McMeel Publishing, died April 16. She was 84. In 1970, Andrews and her husband, Jim, whom she had met as a graduate student at the University of Notre Dame, founded Universal Press Syndicate (now AMU) with John and Susan McMeel. She served as CFO and secretary in its early years, pausing her full-time involvement to care for her two sons, though she remained closely tied to its operations.
After her husband's death in 1980, Andrews returned to the company and with McMeel built it into the largest independent newspaper syndicate in the world, as well as a publisher, Andrews McMeel Publishing, serving as CEO of AMP. She retired in 2006, though her presence remains in AMU's culture and heritage.
"Kathy was just outstanding--with tremendous insight as a shrewd and savvy chief executive, and as a compassionate, thoughtful leader," said AMU chairman emeritus John McMeel. "I am honored to call her my business partner, and my dear friend, of more than 50 years. She was a very special human being--and we will miss her wise counsel and dry wit very much."
AMU CEO Andy Sareyan added: "Kathy is essential to the DNA of AMU. She has been integral to many of its most successful ventures--from Ziggy and Doonesbury to The Far Side and Calvin and Hobbes. We will strive to continue her mission with John as a 'creator-first' operation, and are honored to have such a tremendous example to guide us."
Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau described Andrews as "the indispensable Mom in the Mom-and-Pop basement operation that drew young creators to Leawood, Kansas. Success seemed unlikely, so it took someone with a sharp, critical financial eye to make it probable. Kathy's mastery of spreadsheets kept the lights on; her warmth and graciousness kept her visitors charmed and reassured--then and for years to come. All of us will miss her greatly."
Cathy Guisewite, creator of the comic strip Cathy, noted: "Her great, generous heart helped hold me together in the beginning years. Her devotion to her own family and to the corporate family she helped wrap around all of us lucky enough to be with Universal Press Syndicate (AMU) helped sustain me for all the years that followed. She was a rock of security, a trusted sounding board, and a dear friend. I will be always be grateful to Kathy for being such a great role model of strength, integrity and humor, and for the wonderful life my family and I had because of her belief in me."