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I am honored to have been appointed Editor-in-Chief for JIMB. I thank Allen Laskin, my fellow Senior Editors and the SIM Board of Directors for the confidence they have shown in me. When Allen became Editor-in-Chief 3 years ago he had the big shoes of Joe Cooney to fill. Not surprisingly, he has done an exemplary job of growing our journal, in both quality and quantity, to the internationally recognized venue that it is today. I have known Allen since the early 1970s when I reported to him at the Exxon Research and Engineering Company Corporate Research Laboratories. Since then, Allen has been a mentor, colleague and friend. I have learned much from him, especially about how industrial science is conducted, technology invented, and scientific writing and editing done. Allen, I personally thank you for this, and we all thank you for your dedication to JIMB and the results achieved under your leadership. With continued help from the JIMB Senior Editors, I intend to continue the quality growth of our journal.

JIMB fills a unique role in the scientific world serving as a first class venue for research-based novel “industrial microbiology and biotechnology”. We have a manuscript rejection rate of about 65%. We have all had manuscripts rejected and know that it doesn’t feel good. However, a journal cannot long survive if it does not accept manuscripts. Our goal is to accept manuscripts. If your manuscript is rejected, I encourage you to seriously look at the reviewer comments. They are there to help you improve your presentation. Together we will continue the publication of quality, relevant science and technology as we continue the exploration of our fascinating microbial-based world.

So that all become more familiar with me, I conclude with a brief bio: Dr. Robert D. Schwartz recently retired as a Senior Development Scientist in the Fermentation Development Department at Abbott Laboratories. He received his PhD in microbiology from the Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University in 1969 and subsequently had an extensive and highly productive career in industry as an industrial microbiologist. He has a number of publications and holds 10 US patents. He has been very active in several scientific organizations. For SIM Bob has served in many capacities, including President in 1991–1992. He received the Charles Porter Award in 1989 and was elected an SIM Fellow in 1994. Bob was a long time Senior Editor for JIMB before being appointed Editor-in-Chief in 2010.