It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks since I nervously crept into Publisher Alan Cruikshank’s office and dropped the bombshell that I would be leaving employment at The Times after 32 years.
The “average” person changes jobs/careers six to seven times in a lifetime – or some similar number – but it seems most of us employed here at the paper are not what you would call average.
No, we’re special, since most of us have worked at the paper for extended periods of time.
A few days after the paper came out announcing my departure at the end of the year, my wife and I boarded a jet bound for Hawaii.
This trip had been planned for a long time – didn’t want anyone to think I was “skipping” town already…
Then after getting back to work for about a week and a half, it was time to devote several days to working the Noon Kiwanis booth at the Fountain Festival.
As I said, a whirlwind couple of weeks…
I know Alan and other staff members continue to get questions about my announcement, but please realize that the paper remains strong and that Ryan Winslett (who will replace me as editor) and other staff members will step up and continue to get the job done as we progress into 2016.
I’m not having a mid-life crisis (despite the Harley purchase two years ago), though honestly it has been in my heart the past few years to perhaps seek new challenges when it comes to my career.
You have to admit that 32 years with the same employer is rather unique these days…
I had been tossing around several ideas – I really didn’t want to work at a different newspaper – so how about opening an Italian restaurant, a hair salon or maybe becoming a Realtor? I figured we didn’t have enough of those in town…
Disclaimer: For those who don’t know my sense of humor, the above two sentences were not intended to be serious.
I inherited a small account with Thrivent Financial after my mom passed away a few years ago, and to make a long story short, my rep (Jerrod Stearnes) started talking to me about going to work as a financial advisor after I told him I was seeking other career challenges.
As I stated in the initial announcement, my wife and I aren’t going anywhere. Brenda will remain working at the local Bank of America branch. I will remain active in various volunteer efforts here.
It’s been a bittersweet couple of weeks as the clock keeps ticking closer toward the end of the year. You can’t divest yourself of a 32-year career overnight.
I’m both excited and nervous about moving on and trying my hand at a different career. I appreciate everyone’s well-wishes to date, and I still have a few more deadlines to meet, so don’t quite push me out the door yet…
