Meet the Staff

Daniel McSweeney

(805) 646-2921

Publisher/Editorial Director

Dan is the founder of VRM Media, and serves as Publisher/Editorial Director of Vitamin Retailer magazine. In addition to Vitamin Retailer, Dan is also the creator of the company’s Nutrition Industry Executive, Natural Practitioner, and Gluten Free Retailer publications. Prior to founding VRM in 1994, Dan was the Editor and Associate Publisher of Whole Foods magazine. Earlier in his career, Dan held editorial positions at several New York City-based business publishing houses, specializing in the consumer electronics industry. Dan is a 1980 graduate of Rutgers University and holds a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science.

Russ Fields

(732) 432-9600 x102

Associate Publisher

Russ has been with VRM Media since 1998, and oversees the company’s Advertising Sales Department. Prior to joining VRM, Russ was the publisher of Health Products Business magazine at Cygnus Publishing. He has been in the publishing business since 1988, and holds a B.A. From Brockport State College.

Barry Young

(732) 432-9600 x103

Advertising Sales Manager

Janet Poveromo

(732) 432-9600 x104

Editor-in-Chief

Janet has been covering the natural products industry for more than 10 years. Prior to that, she worked for The Star-Ledger, New Jersey’s largest newspaper. She is a graduate of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Shari Barbanel

(732) 432-9600 x108

Managing Editor

Shari is a graduate of Indiana University, where she received her degree in journalism and communications and culture. She previously worked as a marketing/editorial coordinator for Danthan Military Distributors and was an editorial/advertising coordinator for Unique Homes Magazine, a luxury real estate publication. Shari was assistant editor of Getaway Magazine, a health and fitness publication at Indiana University, and interned in the editorial department at Harper’s Bazaar magazine.

Angela Sabarese

(732) 432-9600 x105

Associate Editor

Angela is a graduate of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where she earned a B.A. in English. She worked for Vicinity Media Group as an editorial assistant, writing and editing lifestyle magazines. From there, she joined Graphis Inc. climbing to the rank of managing editor before joining the editorial team at VRM Media in December 2020. Angela also works with animals, her other passion.

Robert Certo

(732) 432-9600 x101

Art Director/Production Manager

Robert oversees the design and production of our magazines, maintains the company’s websites and manages our e-marketing. Prior to joining VRM, Robert worked in advertising, designing both print and web for Lady Luck, Isle, and Isle of Capri Casinos. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Rowan University where he studied communication and design.

Bryan Zak

(732) 432-9600 x106

Production Assistant/Graphic Artist

Bryan is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he majored in graphic design. While in school, Bryan interned at Forever Collectibles. Prior to joining VRM, Bryan interned at CoSaMo, where he designed print for their packaging. He also interned at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s creative writing department, where he worked on web and print design. Bryan will help handle the design and production of our magazines and help maintain the company’s websites.