Frank Raczon

By day I'm the Senior Editor of Construction Equipment magazine and ConstructionEquipment.com. "Caterpillar: Modern Earthmoving Marvels" is my very first book. I can't be sure if it's my last, but I do know it's now one less than Harper Lee wrote!

I have several other fiction and non-fiction book ideas, unrelated to construction, floating around in my head...but without knowing there's a commitment from a publisher, it's unlikely they'll be written. The world may be better off.

I've been writing and marketing in the construction industry for more than 25 years. I'm the only communicator in the business to have promoted the “big three” traditional market share leaders, Caterpillar, John Deere, and Case Construction Equipment. Iron is in my blood. Literally.

I'm also very fortunate to have the distinction of being the only person in the 56-year history of the Construction Writers Association (CWA) to garner both a Marketing Communications award (for work with agency Fergus/Peters Group on behalf of John Deere) and a Journalism award (the Robert F. Boger Award, twice). And, I may or may not have been the last person to interview the late "Goodfella" Henry Hill.

Before joining Construction Equipment, I was a Senior Consultant at gyro:Chicago (part of a worldwide BtoB ad agency) and the promoter behind two of the industry’s most iconic campaigns: the John Deere 764 High-Speed Dozer introduction, and the “Ultimate Skid Steer Smackdown.” Prior to working for gyro, I led the Case brand to renewed visibility as its North American Brand Communications Manager, directing millions of dollars in advertising, public relations, and brand promotions.

I've also served as Senior Editor/Public Relations Manager at Northbrook Publishing, writing and editing custom publications for Cat, and executing public relations strategies for The Cat Rental Store.

More on awards: In addition to recognition from the CWA, I've received awards from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the Business Marketing Association, BtoB magazine, the American Society of Business Publication Editors, and the Quad Cities Advertising Federation. Moron Awards: None yet.

I have a degree in Journalism from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. I'm allergic to cats (the pets) and the antibiotic Augmentin.