Having grown up in Woodinville, Chernis eventually earned degrees in communications and English literature at the University of Washington, then spent 21 years with the Seattle Times. He began working in that papers circulation department before moving into advertising sales, eventually becoming a manager for display advertising.
Not incidentally, the Seattle Times job led to more than the start of Chernis career. He met the woman who ultimately became his wife while on the job. Diane Chernis has worked in the Seattle Times financial offices for 30 years.
After leaving the Seattle paper, Chernis spent two years as general manager for a Seattle-based parenting magazine, a job he reported he really enjoyed.
I had a new child myself then, he said, referring to daughter Rachel, now nine.
Most recently, before joining Sound Publishing, Chernis was a sales manager for Enterprise Newspapers, a chain of community weeklies in southern Snohomish County.
Currently living in Seattle, Chernis describes his family as consisting entirely of big baseball fans. Chernis himself plays third base for the Blue Rocks club of the Puget Sound Baseball League, for which he also serves as a commissioner. Rachel already plays on a hardball squad, coached by mom.
For now, Chernis has no immediate plans to move to Marysville, but promised local community leaders and community members will have no trouble finding him, as he has plans to become active in local organizations from the Rotary to the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce.
With partner Bob Marshall, Passey purchased The Globe and The Times in February 1997. After Marshall become seriously ill in 2006, the pair decided to sell the papers. Sound Publishing took over the operations last year. When the publications changed hands, Passey agreed to stay on as publisher for a specified period of time.
I had an option to stay or go, Passey said. My decision is to step down and let a new publisher get Sound Publishing up to speed here while I figure out what to do with the rest of my life.
Turning 60 in April, Passey admits his last days with the papers may prove emotional for him.
Its a very bittersweet kind of experience to have, he said