In late August 1997, I was being interviewed for the associate editor’s position at WorkBoat. The interview was being conducted by the magazine’s editor, Don Nelson, in a place called the Red Barn Pub. When Don got up to get us a second round, I thought, “Whatever happens, this is the best interview I’ve ever been on, and it’s the best interview I’ll ever be on.” Turns out it was the last job interview I ever had.
Don hired me that night (I didn't start until Sept. 2) and I learned a lot from him over the next two years before he took a job at another publication in Wisconsin.
Dave Krapf took over as editor-in-chief; I was moved up to senior editor, and Bruce Buls came on as our technical editor. It stayed that way for the next two decades.
I worked out of a two-story building in Mandeville, La., until 2005, when our landlord decided to double our rent. Our publisher, Mike Lodato, was having none of it and sent the salespeople to the corporate office in Portland, Maine, and Dave and I home. So, I’ve been working out of my house for 20 years. (By the way, two months after I was moved home, Hurricane Katrina took the roof off that building where we had worked.)
For the editorial team under Dave Krapf, it was never a nine-to-five job, and that suited me. But for the two weeks each month that we were on deadline, we were on call — nights, weekends, whatever it took.
And now I’m here. This December issue of WorkBoat is officially my last.
The magazine staff and the people at our parent company, Diversified, have been a big part of my life for the last 28 years. Appropriately, so has the marine industry that I’ve had the privilege to be a part of as an observer.
It’s not possible to thank all the people who have helped me along the way. To list them all would be an exercise in futility. I think you know who you are, and you have my deep gratitude.
WorkBoat is in good hands as I bow out. Dave, Bruce, and I had our run. Now it’s time for the next regime to carry the brand forward, led by Executive Editor Eric Haun and jack-of-all-trades Doug Stewart. I told Eric to use anything we’ve left behind that’s useful, but to forge his own WorkBoat path.
I’m looking forward to seeing where the brand goes from here.
