January 8, 2007
Washington Business Journal

Washington Business Journal editor dies at 38

John McCalla, editor of Washington Business Journal, has died. He was 38. A cause of death was not immediately available. McCalla was named editor in September, succeeding longtime editor Beth Hunt. McCalla had served as managing editor of the paper since November 2001.

Publisher Alex Orfinger announced the news to the paper's 45-person staff in a somber meeting Monday morning. Details of his death were not available.

"All of us are stunned to lose John," Orfinger says. "He was a top business journalist, a true leader, a dear friend to us at the Business Journal. Our hearts and prayers go out to John's family. We'll miss him greatly."

McCalla, a Philadelphia native, joined the Business Journal's parent company, Charlotte, N.C.-based American City Business Journals, as a reporter at its Philadelphia paper in 1998. In a companywide e-mail, ACBJ Chairman Ray Shaw called McCalla "one of ACBJ's brightest young editorial stars."

McCalla, who wrote a column for the Business Journal's editorial page, "So There," was known for his dry wit and his love of travel, particularly Provincetown, Mass. The D.C. resident had a fondness for urban planning, and his column often focused on living in downtown D.C. Late last year McCalla traveled to Florence, Italy, to compete in his first marathon.

As editor, he emphasized breaking news and "impact" journalism through cover stories in the Business Journal. He also was instrumental in expanding the Business Journal's Web capabilities through streaming video. During his tenure, the paper took first-place honors in the Society of American Business Editors and Writers' Best in Business award.

Managing Editor Elizabeth Drachman says the upcoming Jan. 12-18 issue of the Business Journal will feature more about McCalla and his work.

Services are pending.