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Naples’ Paul Mongerson, Former Fortune 500 CEO, Dedicates Third Career to New Media’s Problem-Solving Potential Ourblook.com Creates Online Forum for Next Generation Ideas Addressing Crises in Economy, Journalism, Sustainability May 28, 2009, Naples, FL – Naples resident Paul Mongerson moved to southwest Florida ten years ago to retire and continue his third career. While still serving as Chair and CEO of Standadyne, Inc, a Fortune 500 corporation manufacturing auto and aircraft parts, Mongerson began his work to address the need for a viable, credible forum on the future of public affairs. In Naples, Mongerson created Ourblook.com, a globally accessible forum on national issues with Florida roots. “After visiting Florida for 30 years from chilly Chicago, I relocated to Naples to pursue my mission of ensuring a full and open debate on the issues defining our children’s future,” said Mongerson. “After a lifetime of researching the potentials and pitfalls of journalism, I decided to pursue the powers of the internet. Ourblook.com works to marry the strengths of publishing and new media to bring ideas and innovations to the forefront.” In 2008, he launched Ourblook.com, an online forum for the exchange of research, information and dialogue on today’s national and global issues. The site is administered by two Florida-based employees. Representing the traditional media, the site is edited by Gerry Storch, a former writer and editor at the Detroit News, Miami Herald and Gannett News Service with online expertise provided by Sandra Ordonez, a resident of St. Petersburg and former Communications Manager for Wikipedia. The “blook” format is the brainchild of Mongerson and aims to ‘bridge the gap’ between blog and book. Specifically, the site combines the flexibility and accessibility of the web and new social media techniques with the strengths of traditional book publishing protocols focused on documentation and shelf life. "Blog content is normally controlled and verified only by the author and never by a publisher or third party, so accuracy is more uncertain and variable,” said Mongerson. “There is little continuity of style or content between many authors, so it is more difficult to comprehend. A book is more complete and has no limit on amount of content used, but once it is published, it is not as easily changeable as with the blog and blook systems." The site offers information and interviews from experts around the world – academics, editors and reporters, and public affairs officials – on the three issues defining the current and future public affairs environment: the future of journalism, the economy and sustainability. It then uses social media tools such as blogs, Facebook and Twitter, to create a globalized community center to discuss and analyze ideas presented. Together, this format creates a proactive, issue-driven forum which helps spark responsible, sustainable ideas that will define our future. During his corporate career, Mongerson pursued his interest in helping the news consumer obtain the best quality news. In 1993, he sponsored the seminar “Public Perspective on the Press” at the University of Maryland College of Journalism. In 1997, Fulcrum Press published his book "The Power Press: Its Impact on America and What You Can Do About It.” In 1999 and 2000, he funded the NewsWatch.org news website. From 2001 to 2005, he sponsored an award for investigative reporting on news coverage that was administered by Medill School of Journalism at the Northwestern University. Mongerson is a currently a member of the Naples Press Club and has long served the board of the Center for Media and Public Affairs (CMPA), a non-partisan, non-profit media research organization in Washington, DC. Mongerson graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. After serving in the Navy, Mongerson spent the next 40 years with Stanadyne Inc., a corporation manufacturing automotive and aircraft parts in 11 plants around the world. In the course of his career, he earned 10 patents and established the company's International Division. He retired in 1985 as chairman and CEO. # # #
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