About

The world as we knew it is undergoing a historical change, thanks to a grueling shift in the economy that is forcing our nation and others to navigate away from consumption and toward savings. The design and construction industries have experienced huge losses in revenue, opportunities and employees. However, the downturn in new construction and the vast inventory of existing building stock has turned industry professionals’ focuses on the retrofit market and the opportunities it presents. Building owners, too, are finding cheaper leases within empty spaces or are retrofitting their current spaces in hopes of improving value for the impending real-estate uptick.

Although other trade publications have mentioned retrofitting and the specific products required to retrofit buildings, there has not been a publication or website focused entirely on what now is a prominent market category.

retrofit magazine’s goal is to provide facility managers, building owners, contractors and others education about and insight into this burgeoning marketplace. As retrofitting makes its place in our nation’s building history, the concept itself deserves recognition through its own publication and website.

Our Staff

Director of Operations

Becky Riester

BECKY RIESTER

Prior to launching retrofit magazine, Becky was the marketing manager and media services manager for several nationally circulated business-to-business magazines, covering commercial design and construction. Becky brings more than five years’ experience in all aspects of business media, including magazine publishing, advertising sales, marketing and events, to retrofit magazine.

Her favorite things include travel to warm places, red wine, anything that sparkles, and spending time with family and friends.

becky@retrofitmagazine.com
(919) 928-2496

Publisher

John Riester

JOHN RIESTER

John has more than 25 years’ experience in the commercial design and construction industries. He has been the founder and publisher of two nationally circulated magazines in the commercial construction and green-design industries. John also has been national sales manager of several trade publications. He brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience in magazine publishing and advertising sales, as well as industry relationships, to retrofit magazine.

Residing in North Carolina, but still a “South Sider” at heart, he is a huge fan of the Chicago Bears and White Sox.

john@retrofitmagazine.com
(919) 641-6321

Editor in Chief

Christina Koch

CHRISTINA KOCH

Prior to joining retrofit magazine, Christina was the editor of several nationally circulated trade magazines, including a residential remodeling magazine and a commercial green-building magazine. Christina has traveled extensively across North America and Europe, meeting with architects, engineers, contractors and manufacturers to learn about innovations and successes in design and construction. She is active in industry trade associations and has been interviewed by well-known news organizations, including The New York Times and San Francisco’s KTRB-AM 860 radio station. She notes interviewing former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley as her most memorable professional experience.

christina@retrofitmagazine.com
(630) 308-4602

Advertising Sales

Barrett Hahn

BARRETT HAHN

barrett.hahn@gmail.com
(919) 593-5318

Dan Burke

DAN BURKE

Dan Burke has delivered strong sales and professional representation to publishing clients since 2001. He has sold advertising space and acted as publisher for several notable magazines in the design and construction industries. Dan enjoys jazz and blues; he plays trumpets for several bands, including Line Drive, which played Rockefeller Center during the televised New York City Christmas Tree Lighting in 1999.

dan@burkemediagroup.com
(732) 241-6720