Today, we’re announcing the sale of Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Beat to Scott and Jillian Copeland of Rockville.
My wife, Susan, and I knew that we would eventually sell the business, but not until we found a buyer who shared our commitment to local journalism, the community and our staff. We found those buyers in Scott and Jillian.
I’m sure many of you know Scott and Jillian — or know of them. Scott is a principal of RST Development LLC, a mid-Atlantic developer of multifamily market-rate and affordable housing.
He and Jillian are well known in Montgomery County for their philanthropic efforts, most notably for conceiving, building and operating Main Street, a unique model of inclusivity and affordability that provides housing and dynamic community engagements so people of all abilities can live their best lives; and The Diener School, a school that supports academic and social needs for students with learning differences.
Scott and Jillian are committed to continuing to tell the stories that matter to our community and to expanding the reach of Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Beat.
Over the last 17 years, Bethesda Magazine has published 102 issues. In the last seven years, Bethesda Beat has published more than 10,000 stories.
In both the magazine and Bethesda Beat, we strive to inform, illuminate, engage and inspire; to hold public officials accountable and explain complicated issues; to highlight the extraordinary diversity in our community, as well as the extraordinary inequities; to help our readers get the most out of the wonderful place we live; and ultimately, to foster a greater sense of community. We are honored that you’ve made time for us in your busy lives.
We’ve also worked to find innovative ways to connect local businesses and consumers. We are grateful that so many businesses chose us to promote their brands and products.
Selling Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Beat is bittersweet. Susan and I love the work and interacting with our staff, contributors, readers and advertisers. But it was time for us to move on to the next phase of our lives. We’re thrilled that Scott and Jillian are taking over the business.
It’s not time to say goodbye just yet. I will be staying on for a year and Susan for six months. During that time, we will work with Scott and Jillian and our staff to make Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Beat better than ever.
