I wanted to have a career in journalism because I believed that it was one of the things that you could do that would make the world better. And I couldn't believe you actually got paid to do it, it was so much fun.

Gerry Kern is senior vice-president and editor of the Chicago Tribune.

A 1971 graduate of Indiana University's School of Journalism, Kern joined the Tribune in 1991 and held a number of senior editing roles, including associate managing editor of metro, deputy managing editor of features, and associate editor.

Since he become editor, the Tribune has increased its commitment to watchdog journalism in print and online, and launched a tabloid newsstand edition-making it the only major American daily to publish in both broadsheet and tabloid formats.