LOUD Magazine

Who We Are

Don Menn

CEO & Publisher

Don was Editor-in-Chief for Guitar Player and Multimedia World. At San Francisco State University, he has taught the core journalism courses and served as lead instructor in the magazine sequence. Don stood out in school by not learning how to read until 6th grade and by having his desk moved into the hall for disrupting those trying to learn. His counselor told him not to bother with college since he'd probably not finish high school. Don ignored the advice and got his degree from Stanford University.

Anne Schukat

Editor-in-Chief

Anne Schukat has written articles for The Economist, Fortune, and Business 2.0, among other publications. Anne (pronounced “Anna”), who grew up and attended high school in Germany, fondly recalls occasionally devoting a few minutes to her English homework on the bus ride to school. Indeed, it could come as a shock to some of her old teachers to find that she reads, writes and edits in a foreign language.

Richard Leeds

Art Direction & Design

Richard is a veteran magazine designer who spent more years than he cares to remember as Art Director of Guitar Player and Keyboard. He currently owns and operates BigWigDesign. He had a great time in high school where he first began to identify as a musician and artist. It’s also where he met his high school sweetheart, whom he’s been with for 27 years.

Joey Lasley

Art Direction & Design

For his day job, Joey designs graphics for a skateboard company. He had a wild and crazy time in high school that led to a sealed juvenile record. Still, he has fond memories of the experience, especially when he stumbled his way into Latin culture by studying Spanish, playing soccer with his Latino friends, and working in a taqueria.

Somer Flaherty

Associate Editor

While working on the “Marketing Madness” feature, Somer learned that people really will do anything for money. So far she has avoided that fate by writing for LOUD and freelancing for VegNews. Her worst memory of high school is her 9th grade geometry teacher, who had a penchant for not wearing any shoes in class and whose sole experience in teaching derived from a previous stint at an Australian prison.

Michal Lev-Ram

Associate Editor

While interviewing hopefuls at the “Making the Band” audition, Michal was surprised when an MTV employee asked her to get in line with the “rest of the girls.” She admits she was slightly tempted, but explained she was there to work, not to audition. Besides writing about (and watching) reality shows, Michal has freelanced for Business 2.0, ELLEgirl and Marin Magazine. Although she almost flunked a P.E. folk dance class in high school, she now dances Flamenco in her spare time.

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