John Rouse, veteran publisher of Contract magazine, the leading publication for commercial interior design and architecture, was today named Publisher Emeritus. In his new role, Mr. Rouse will provide insight and expertise to the Contract magazine staff. Contract is published by Emerald Expositions, publisher of Healthcare Design and Environments for Aging.

“John Rouse is recognized as the industry’s foremost authority and has been instrumental in the growth of the Contract brand through the years,” said Joe Randall, Executive Vice President of Emerald Exposition’s Design & Construction Group. “The commercial contract design industry has recognized his contributions to the marketplace with several awards over the past decade, including an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the New York School of Interior Design and the IIDA Inaugural Legacy Award. John will continue to serve both Contract magazine and the commercial contract design industry at large in this new role.”

Karen Donaghy, currently associate publisher of Contract magazine assumes day-to-day responsibilities as publisher for the same publication. Karen will draw on more than 15 years of industry experience including the past year as associate publisher and previously, eight years of account management experience with Contract.

“Karen is ideally suited to take on the significant role of publisher and will continue to build on the foundation which has been built over the past 56 years,” Randall added. “Our organization’s commitment to the commercial design marketplace runs deep, and is evident by the highest-caliber staff in the market, including its editorial team led by Editor in Chief John Czarnecki, Hon. IIDA, Assoc. AIA, and Managing Editor Murrye Bernard, AIA, a licensed architect.”