Thefirst time I met former Claims Editor-In-Chief PhilSchreiner was five years ago, when I walked into his office tointerview for an entry-level editing position. As I was led intohis office, my eyes first landed on a wall covered with NealAwards, the “Pulitzer” of the business media world. There were 22plaques in all, and they served as an immediate testament to his 40years of work in the publishing world.

Phil had a taste for the theatrical, something that becameimmediately clear when I was introduced to him by HR. His back wasto me, a shock of white hair brushed backwards, and an enormousfloor-length fur coat lay draped on a desk (the appearance of hisraccoon fur coat officially signaled the start of winter atNational Underwriter headquarters). He kept this position duringthe introduction, never turning around until we were left alone andit was time for him to begin the interview. Slowly, deliberately,he spun around in his chair, tenting his fingers in anunintentional homage to The Simpsons' Mr. Burns, untilfinally turning to give me a once-over by simultaneously staringover the rims of his glasses and down his nose.

His eyes narrowed and his chin came up. Pleasantries were notexchanged. Instead, he barked the first of many imperatives at me:“Spell the word 'accommodate,'” he said. That was part of Phil'ssignature editing test; if you failed, then you were eliminatedfrom consideration. I was successful, and we moved on to whatturned out to be an informal interview. When I left his office, Iremembered being excited about the prospect of changing careers andputting my degree to work alongside someone so full of experienceand personality.