Al Filreis

Al Filreis is an accomplished academic and publisher with extensive experience in literature and writing. Currently serving as the Publisher of Jacket Magazine since January 2010 and as Co-Director of PennSound since January 2004, Al also holds the position of Kelly Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where involvement includes directing the Kelly Writers House and the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing since 1985. Al's leadership roles extend to the Frost Valley YMCA as Vice President of the Board of Trustees and include previous service as Chairman of the WXPN Policy Board and the Residential Faculty Council at the University of Pennsylvania. A founding member of Kol Tzedek, Al contributed to the fundraising committee from 2004 to 2011. Al holds a PhD in literature with a focus on poetics from the University of Virginia and a BA in English, history, and philosophy from Colgate University.