Lessiter Media is very pleased to announce that, effective immediately, Kim Schmidt has been promoted to Executive Editor of Farm Equipment and Rural Lifestyle Dealer magazines. Kim joined Farm Equipment in June 2012 as managing editor and has played an integral part in of the magazine’s growth and influence.

In her expanded role, Kim will be responsible for all of Farm Equipment’s print and digital content, as well as production budgets and processes. She will also continue as coordinator of the annual Dealership Minds Summit and as the host of Ag Equipment Intelligence’s bi-weekly On the Record newscast.

Kim will continue to be responsible for recruiting, managing and supervising Lessiter Media interns, as well as onboarding of all editorial hires.

“Kim will have the responsibility to protect our unique editorial formula, as well as creating and developing content that will continue to challenge our dealer readership,” says Mike Lessiter, editor/publisher of Farm Equipment and president of Lessiter Media. “In her nearly 7 years here, Kim has grown professionally and become very knowledgeable of the farm equipment business. She has earned this promotion and there’s no doubt she will continue to be an asset to both Lessiter Media and the industry.”

Kim replaces Dave Kanicki who joined Lessiter Media in 2005 and has been Executive Editor of Farm Equipment since 2008.

“Recently, Kim reminded me that when she was interviewing for the position of managing editor with Farm Equipment, I told her that we were looking for someone who would ultimately replace me,” says Dave. “I’m happy to say that the time has come and Kim is that person. I couldn’t be happier for or prouder of her. She is the right person to work with Mike to take Farm Equipment to the next level.”

Dave has assumed the title of Senior Editor with Farm Equipment and will continue as Editor & Publisher of Ag Equipment Intelligence. “I’m very happy to continue working with and supporting Kim in any way that I can with her growing responsibilities. She is a pleasure to work with and I will enjoy watching her continue to grow professionally,” Dave says.