Meet the Team

Michael Tedeschi

Publisher

With CML since 2000

I started working at CML part-time while attending the New York Institute of Technology. When I graduated in 2001, I moved to full-time and spent my first 17 years as CML's network administrator, webmaster, and circulation manager. As of October 2017, I was promoted to Publisher with the additional responsibilities of running the day to day administration of the organization.

When I first started working here, I noticed that there was a very strong reliance on typewriters. The technology age was alive and well, but not here at CML. I had been working with computers from an early age, so I welcomed the challenge of bringing CML’s technology into the current century. I created and installed our network, created our first website, and got everyone set up with computers. The transition, which was met with some resistance, took a few years to complete. 

Fast forward to today, CML has embraced new and groundbreaking technologies to deliver our material via analog, digital, and downloadable methods throughout the United States.  I’m very grateful to be able to work for such a wonderful organization that makes a tremendous difference in the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals by helping them enjoy the pleasure of reading magazines through audio anthologies.

Annie Kyrkostas

Editor-in-Chief

With CML since 2007

Practicing my favorite things and calling it a job seems unfair on some level, but that's exactly what working at Choice Magazine Listening is.  I read and seek, and seek to serve, with words.

This free anthology brings the best of current magazine writing to eligible adults in the print-disabled community (i.e. anyone unable to read standard printed material due to blindness, visual disability, physical limitations, organic dysfunction or dyslexia.)

It is immensely satisfying (and more than a little fun) to read and continuously discover great writing.  Passing it on is the icing on the cake.  I am thrilled to be here.

Raquel Sime

Office Manager/Bookkeeper

With CML since 2015

I am the Office Manager and Bookkeeper of CML. My previous jobs were in the fields of accounting, marketing, and advertising. I have to say that it is an honor to work for such an amazing non-profit organization.  Our mission is to produce free audio magazine anthologies for visually impaired people.

Jay Popham

Associate Editor

With CML since 2016

Growing up, libraries were always a source of special comfort for me. So many stories, of every variety, all in one place, and any of them could be mine for the choosing—it was empowering to have access to the collected thoughts, stories, and lives expressed through those pages. Magazines generally, and CML specifically, strive towards the same goal: to curate and present a collection of stories that mirror the diversity and richness of life itself. As such, it is a privilege to work every day with a talented, dedicated team of colleagues, volunteers, and voiceover professionals to provide the community of Americans with print disabilities free access to the best in contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

I am passionate about accessibility, community engagement, technology, and current events, and it is a thrill to pursue these interests as part of my service to this wonderful, unique organization. In addition to my editorial responsibilities, I work to augment our outreach efforts and increase public awareness of our service. If you belong to a library, social services organization, healthcare provider, veterans' group, or educational institution interested in better assisting your members who have either temporary or permanent print disabilities, I am always available to answer questions about who we are, what we do, and how you can become part of our community of subscribers. I am happy to help troubleshoot issues with your subscription, get your feedback on articles we've run, or simply chat about ways we can make this service more responsive to your needs

David Page

Public Relations

With CML since 2013

My role is to promote awareness of our free service far and wide in the United States. We love to discuss how our unique quarterly anthology of magazine writing can enrich lives, so if you work or volunteer for an organization that serves visually impaired or physically disabled adults, please get in touch. It’s very easy for individuals to sign up to receive CML in the mail or as a download, and it’s absolutely free (our work is supported by a foundation). We’d be glad to send brochures and posters to anyone who can help spread the word about CML. If you’re already enjoying our service, please tell your family, friends and those in your community about CML: there’s no better recommendation than one that comes from a happy listener!

Alfredo Franco

Associate Editor

With CML since 2017

I studied German and Art History at The Johns Hopkins University. I received an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University. For several years, I was Curator of Education at the Jane Vorhees Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University. In addition to my work at CML, I teach creative writing at Rutgers and I am also Creative Editor for Chiricù, a journal of Latinx art and literature published by Indiana University.