When personal circumstances necessitated my moving from Los Angeles to Dallas, I explained to the upper management at Hanley Wood — the company that produces Pool & Spa News — that it would be no problem for me to keep my job. The firm has a Dallas office, so I could work from there without missing a beat. Moreover, the editorial department in L.A. is highly trained and functions well together as a team, so not having a manager on-site is completely do-able.
However, the Powers That Be felt differently and it was decided that rather than stay on at Pool & Spa News, I would become editor of its sister publication, Aquatics International, without any direct reports. I helped hire and train Paul Silva, who would replace me, and moved to Texas, ready for my new job.
Fast forward six weeks. Due to some unexpected family obligations, Paul had to resign from Hanley Wood and we were left back at square one. This time, I was offered the opportunity to sit at the helm of both publications with a title of editorial director.
So, it gives me great pleasure to announce that I’m back. I’ve taken on this enhanced role during a crucial time in Hanley Wood’s history as the company moves increasingly toward a fully digital footprint. It’s challenging to say the least, but also exciting and a lot of fun to experience a new type of journalism that incorporates technology and platforms we couldn’t imagine even five years ago.
Raise a glass, and wish me luck!
