Design World serves readers in the mechanical and electrical engineering design space. We provide news, product developments, application stories, technical how-to articles, and analysis of engineering trends — particularly in the semiconductor, off-highway, medical, aerospace, machine tool, and packaging industries. In addition to a 40,000 print circulation audience, we have more than 100,000 online readers each month. Our editors are extremely active on a variety of social media platforms, and they produce webcasts, videos, podcasts, and more to stay connected with the Design World audience. In just over a decade, Design World has grown to be the #1 publication in its space.
Meet our Team
Paul J. Heney, Vice President, Editorial Director
Paul J. Heney, the VP, Editorial Director for Design World magazine, has a BS in Engineering Science & Mechanics and minors in Technical Communications and Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He has written about fluid power, aerospace, robotics, medical, green engineering, and general manufacturing topics for almost 30 years. He has won numerous regional and national awards for his writing from the American Society of Business Publication Editors.
Rachael Pasini, Editor-in-Chief
Rachael Pasini has a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering and a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from The Ohio State University. She has over 15 years of experience as a technical writer and taught college math and physics. As Editor-in-Chief of Design World and Engineering.com and Senior Editor of Fluid Power World and R&D World, she covers automation, hydraulics, pneumatics, linear motion, motion control, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, robotics, and more.
Lisa has worked in the motion industry since 2001. Her areas of focus include motors, drives, motion control, power transmission, linear motion, and sensing and feedback technologies. She has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is an inductee of Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society; a member of the Society of Women Engineers; and a judge for the FIRST Robotics Buckeye Regionals. Besides her motioncontroltips.com contributions, Lisa also leads the production of the quarterly motion issues of Design World.
Mike Santora began his career as an Associate Editor with Design World in 2015 before transitioning to the Managing Editor position in 2022. He has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Bowling Green State University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of New Hampshire. Mike is also the editor for WTWH Media’s vertical sites, BearingTips.com and CouplingTips.com.
Mary Gannon is editor-in-chief of Fluid Power World and senior editor with Design World. She has been a technical writer and editor for nearly 20 years, after working daily news journalism and public relations early in her career. She covers fluid power and interconnect technologies. She is passionate about STEM, and encouraging young people to follow their dreams, whether it is the college route or into technical schools and apprenticeships. Mary received her Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Boston University’s College of Communication in 1998.
Miles has been with Design World since 2009 covering motion control, automation, and test and measurement. He holds a BSEE degree and an MA in Philosophy from Cleveland State University and has experience working in the controls industry as a project engineer. Miles has taught engineering technology courses as well as engineering ethics continuing education courses for professional engineers in the state of Ohio. He is also a drummer, and enjoys travel and photography.
Heather M. Hall, Associate Editor
Heather M. Hall, Associate Editor for R&D World, attended Kent State University. She has worked in publishing for 25 years, first as a newspaper reporter then as an editor for B2B publishing. She worked for many years on a design engineering publication and now research and development.
Courtney Nagle, Senior Vice President
Courtney Nagle serves as Senior Vice President at WTWH Media, where she is responsible for strategic planning of the industrial division. Courtney joined the company in 2012 and holds a B.A from Bowling Green State University. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband and two kids.