Shortly before press time, Supply House Times Publisher John Schrei announced he is leaving the company to become president and COO of Midwest Diagnostic Management LLC. MDM is a health care management and referral service that functions as a liaison between health care providers, insurers and patients. Schrei, who has been publisher of Supply House Times since it was purchased by Business News Publishing Co. (BNP) in January 2001, has been an investor in MDM for several years.

"My decision was a bittersweet one," said Schrei. "I leave behind wonderful friends at Supply House Times and our other plumbing magazines, and throughout the industry at-large. It's been a privilege to work with professionals dedicated to producing high-quality magazines and value for advertisers."

"We'll miss John, and wish him nothing but great success in his exciting new venture," said George Zebrowski, Group Publisher of three BNP plumbing magazines.

Supply House Times was interviewing several outstanding candidates as possible successors to Schrei, who departed in mid-February.