I met Ron in 1986. I had recently married a passionate aesthetician named Patricia and we became enchanted with the idea of spending our lives working together. I reached out to the Dallas Institute of Aesthetics and my fate became sealed. I had the honor of being the last student trained by Ron Renee. I also had benefit of inside exposure to AIA and DERMASCOPE.

"Our family has been on an adventure we could never have imagined. Our most unexpected gift is the friends we have made from all around the world. But, the greatest gift has been working as a family."

Pat and I began our adventure by opening a spa and starting a family. We were blessed with compatibility, two wonderful children and a strong client base. While I enjoyed my work in the spa, I also nursed a restless spirit. My time with Ron and AIA began my obsession with continuing education. I trained in massage therapy, reflexology, aroma- therapy, motivation, marketing, sales, technology… everything I could make time for. In the fall of 1993, fate paid another call when I met with Ron at his tradeshow, Aesthetics World Expo, in Dallas. He was ready to retire and invited me to carry the torch he lit in 1972. Pat and I agreed – we went all in. Over the last 20 years, we have published 240 issues of DERMASCOPE with 30,000-plus pages containing about 3,600 educational articles. We have produced or co-produced 84 tradeshows. We have had the privilege of developing relationships with hundreds of writers and educators and as many product developers and distributors. We have provided networking and continuing education opportunities for tens of thousands of aestheticians on their way to building careers and our industry with them. Our family has been on an adventure we could never have imagined. Our most unexpected gift is the friends we have made from all around the world. But, the greatest gift has been working as a family. Our children have grown up in, love and work in the industry which that passionate aesthetician introduced me to so many years ago.
Pat recently reminded me of a picture of our daughter Amanda, who at age four, was in the Toronto Hilton handing out DERMASCOPE magazines. Amanda has attended about 75 of the 84 congresses and developed relationships with countless professionals throughout the industry. She has always had a passion for DERMASCOPE and is a networking natural. After working in the editorial department for nine years, she has proven her leadership skills as Editor and then Managing Editor of the magazine.
Pat and I have enjoyed watching Amanda bring passion, fresh ideas and new relationships to DERMASCOPE. It is with pride that I now introduce her as Associate Publisher. Pat will remain active with the editorial department and be a constant advisor for our team. Amanda not only brings quality content and a fresh approach, she brings the future on the Internet. DERMASCOPE.com is already taking that first gathering of American aestheticians who Ron initiated so many years ago to the next level. Our Community and Guides have created new tools and opportunities for professional networking and access to products and education. We will continue to grow the greatest archive of education content in the spa industry. We look forward to the next 20 years.

William Strunk
Publisher