(FORTUNE Magazine) – They don't get bylines or go on TV. But in dozens of other ways, FORTUNE's five editorial assistants are the crucial link between the magazine and the outside world. If you've ever called us with a question, pitched a story, or tried to set up a meeting, odds are you've dealt with one of this capable crew. And interface control is the least of what they do. You know that management stuff we write about? Our assistants live it.

With 32 years of experience at Time Inc., Carolyn Sampson is the person we count on to tap her "informal network" and blow apart bureaucratic gridlock. When we drop a ball (sorry, we needed that off-site set up yesterday!), Kelly Champion and Sarah Kimball pick it up without breaking stride. Wanna talk multitasking? Kerry Hubert-Martin and Patty McCarthy handle major jobs (answering online letters and managing freelance contracts) while pulling their share of the overall load carried by this high-performance team. Before coming here, several of these women worked in the entertainment business, where they learned to deal with big egos, finicky talent, and demanding customers--all while working long hours. Just coincidence, Patty, or was a cruise ship good training for FORTUNE? "Well, duh," she says.

Our cover stories in this issue explore the huge challenge every company faces now in hanging on to talent. Carolyn, Patty, Kerry, Sarah, and Kelly--if we haven't said it enough before, we're saying it now. We're really glad you're here. Don't even think about going anywhere else.

John Huey MANAGING EDITOR

Rik Kirkland DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR