More changes at 1105 GovInfo — Group publisher Evillee Ebb exits

More changes for the 1105 Government Information Group — Group Publisher Evilee Ebb is leaving. Insiders tell me that she has another job lined up — not in the government or government IT market, but they say that she isn’t saying anything at the moment.

Ebb was hired more than a year ago as group publisher for the 1105 Government Information Group, which includes Federal Computer Week, Government Computer News, Washington Technology. Of course, 1105 GovInfo also owns the FOSE trade show.

Ebb came to 1105 after more than 19 years at IDG Communications and, specifically, Network World, where she was able to grow the publications online brand. But Ebb was based out of Massachusetts and many 1105GovInfo’ers said that hindered her success in the government market, which is so Beltway based.

Here is the portion of the note sent to staff from 1105 Media CEO Neal Vitale:

We have also decided that GIG needs a strong, day-to-day sales and marketing leader based full-time in Falls Church. To that end, we are in the midst of a formal search for a Vice President of Sales & Marketing for GIG to replaceEvilee Ebb, and hope to have made a hiring decision before the end of the first quarter. Evilee is leaving the company at the end of this month, and I would like to thank her for all her contributions to GIG and 1105.

The name buzzing around around the Falls Church, VA 1105 GovInfo headquarters: Jeff Calore, who is currently the publisher at Hanley Wood Business Media and previously served as 1105 GovInfo’s general manager.

Ebb’s departure comes amid a number of changes at 1105 GovInfo, including the hiring of David Rapp to be the editor in chief of Federal Computer Week magazine and the editorial director of the 1105 Government Information Group… the sale of Government Health IT magazine … and a decision not to publish a scheduled issue of GCN… and a change in editorial leadership at 1105’s Defense Systems.

The move comes amid some of the most difficult times for media — Time magazine’s cover story this week by Walter Isaacon is headlined, How to save your newspaper… and WBUR radio’s On Point earlier in the week had a program debating the future of publishing. The past year has been particularly difficult for government publications given the perfect storm of the economic crisis combined with the typical pre-presidential election slowdown that comes with a administration transition. And 1105 is not alone. Federal Times is reportedly going to reduce its frequency.

In 1105’s announcement, Vitale also told staffers that 1105 Media’s Security Products, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection groups will become part of the 1105 Government Information Group, led by 1105 GovInfo President Anne Armstrong. Rapp will take on editorial oversight of those groups.

Read the details of the changes in Vitale’s note to staff after the break.

And the GIT Rockin’ winner is… Cobb

I mentioned that I was the emcee last night at 1105 Government Information Group’s GIT Rockin’ — that’s Government IT, of course. The concept is that it is a battle of the bands, but at least two of the members has to be from the government IT community. And the proceeds from the event go to USO.

And the winner is… Cobb. Update: Visit Cobb’s MySpace page here… and we had two members of Cobb on Federal News Radio’s Daily Debrief with Chris Dorobek and Amy Morris. You can hear that interivew here. [.mp3]

From the GIT Rockin’ page:

Four talented musicians—who had never before met—joined a small consulting firm in Washington, D.C. Having individually played in various bands throughout D.C. and NYC, they now focused on their new gig—solving government IT problems! When a coworker threw a party and set up an impromptu jam session, COBB was formed (an energetic mix of acoustic and electric sounds blended with fresh vocals). Playing mostly originals, the band also performs some selected covers that are given their own unique twist. Each member brings his own distinctive style to the band, combining rock, pop, blues, and funk influences into melodic grooves with catchy lyrics.

Government IT band members
Matt Davis, Senior Consultant, Touch Consulting Group, Inc. at DHS OEC (guitar, vocals)
Corbett Ervin, Senior Consultant Architect, Touchstone Consulting Group, Inc. at DHS OIC (lead vocals, guitar)
Steve Snyder, Senior Consultant/Designer, Commonwealth of Virginia’s Interoperability Coordinator’s Office (drums, vocals)
Steve Young, IT government contactor at the Small Business Administration (SBA) OCIO

I’m working to get Corbett Ervin on Federal News Radio’s Daily Debrief with Chris Dorobek and Amy Morris this afternoon. They seemed interested. Tune in to see if it happens.

UPDATE: Confirmed. They will be on the show this afternoon in the 5p hour.