Judith A. Proffer
Vice Chair, Meteor 17 Group of Companies
Oversight of Literary, Charitable Activities
Publisher, writer, marketing specialist, alternative newsweekly veteran and former community newspaper owner, Judith oversees literary and charitable initiatives for the Meteor 17 group. As the the Vice-Chair of the organization, she oversees all of M17’s literary and charitable efforts.
Judith was the former Publisher and Associate Publisher of leading newspapers LA Weekly and OC Weekly. Proffer spearheaded some of the most dynamic and successful issues in alternative newsweekly publishing history. She launched OC Weekly, sat on the Association of Alternative Newsweekly Board of Directors, was named Vice President and Associate Publisher/West Coast for Stern Publishing (parent company of Village Voice) and created an impressive series of community events benefiting a myriad of non-profits locally and abroad.
As President and CEO of Magpye Media, Judith produced a weekly topical radio show, progressive musical theatre and shared her vast knowledge of the alternative newsweekly world by offering consulting services to papers in need of a little spit and polish.
Co-founder of the acclaimed Southern California Sun Community Newspapers, as Executive Editor Judy created three unique publications to serve the Valley communities: Studio City Sun, Sherman Oaks Sun and Encino Sun. Then mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s presence at the ribbon cutting ceremony signaled the significance of the Sun’s influence on otherwise underserved communities. The papers were honored by both the city and the SFV Business Journal for bringing much needed coverage to the San Fernando Valley.
Judith is the co-writer of "Art of the Soul," the award-winning title song recorded by Anna Nalick for the Maya Angelou narrated documentary, partially financed by Robert Redford and produced for the Sundance Channel, entitled “As Seen Through These Eyes.”
An avid photographer (her photos of Quincy Jones and KISS have appeared on cd /dvd packaging), Judith’s image of a Nashville storm taken during the June 2009 CMT Awards was named among the best travel photos of 2009, as selected by the Los Angeles Times. A photo she took on safari in Kenya received the same honor five years later.
Judith founded Southern California based and award-winning Huqua Press (HP) in 2010 as a boutique book publishing house to nurture talent and creativity ("Small Press, Big Ideas"). HP houses a diverse catalogue which include culinary, juvenile, fiction and popular culture titles. Proffer seeks authors and works that uplift, inspire, inform and engage. Proffer seeks authors and works that uplift, inspire, inform and engage. It’s first title was the award-winning Supernatural Kids Cookbook, in spring, 2011.
She followed with two more Supernatural Kids Cookbook titles and The Sweet & Savory Cookbook (Gwen Kenneally). In 2012 she and husband, media producer Spencer Proffer, debuted Padaro Press. Huqua and Padaro catalogues include titles by rock legends Heart (Ann & Nancy Wilson), best-selling author Patti Davis, highly respected theater critic Steven Leigh Morris, actor Thaao Penghlis, Haile Thomas, Nancy Mehagian, multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Brandi Carlile and Our House by Graham Nash with a dedication from Carole King.
In 2015, HP released The Lotus Kitchen, a vegetarian cookbook for yoga enthusiasts. In the Spring of 2021, Huqua will release a new cookbook, The Inclusive Table, by Kenneally.
In 2016, HP co-published I Hope You Dance: The Power and Sprit of Song. Proffer edited the book and served as Co-Producer on the Meteor 17 produced film.
In 2018, Proffer published 17 Dresses, a novel by author Pamela Klein. The book was the silver recipient of a 2019 Benjamin Franklin award for design.
In 2019, Proffer launched Julu Press, a publisher-assisted, entrepreneurial based platform for first-time authors. The debut title is The Lights of Pembroke Road.
Most recently, Proffer and LMFT Tara Fass wrote an award-winning book, When We Stayed Home, to help children and families lift themselves up during the pandemic.
In 2024, HP, in partnership with IPG, Judy is launching The Word Garden. In addition to being a book, The Word Garden is a non-profit writing resource for non-writers. She will host monthly writing workshops, offer templates and writing tools on The Word Garden website and will provide writing workshops for students in underserved communities.
Proffer was honored by the Los Angeles Business Journal and the San Fernando Valley Business Journal as one of the leading “Women Who Make A Difference” in Southern California. Additionally, she was honored by Friends of the Family for her family centric community work. Judith teamed with Hollywood Caterer Gwen Kenneally to establish Magpie Mini Pies, an artisanal petite pie company with proceeds benefiting local non-profits. Additionally, Judy has also taught writing workshops to children, adults and incarcerated at-risk youths.