  |
Jay Bigalke
 Jay Bigalke at AmeriStamp Expo 2003 in Biloxi |
Considering all the stories he broke in the past seven years, and the fact that he paid most of his college room and board by selling his first day covers, he would seem well qualified in those fields.
"The goal of becoming PMG has not faded," he advised in our message board.
Besides compiling and maintaining the U.S. New Issues schedules since 2002 and posting numerous news updates, Jay also produced his own line of first day covers — called FPMG Cachets — and served as president of the American Ceremony Program Society. All of that, unfortunately, he has to give up as an employee of Amos Hobby Publishing.
 Jay Bigalke receives a cachetmaking award from American First Day Cover Society president Tom Foust at Americover 2002 in Oakbrook, Ill. |
At a 2003 first day ceremony in Biloxi, Miss., at which Jay spoke as ACPS president, the master of ceremonies stopped "the Future Postmaster General" as he crossed the stage after his speech, and asked for Jay's autograph. "Hey, you never know," the MC said.
We know. We here at The Virtual Stamp Club are proud to say we "knew him when," and have no doubt we'll be hearing great things about him over the coming years, whether as a top official of the Postal Service, the editor or publisher of "The New York Times of Philately," or something entirely new.