Whenever I hear someone proudly proclaim how much they “embrace change” or “welcome the uncomfortable,” I can’t help but roll my eyes and think, “Sure, man. Whatever.”
Part of that’s because I’m old and I roll my eyes at lots of things (dang kids!). But what really sparks that reaction is a knowledge that no one really, truly relishes change. Change is hard. It disrupts routines. It forces us out of our comfort zone. It makes us face the unknown in a way that can be, at best, unsettling. Some people obviously deal with change better than others, but those telling you how much they love change and how they actively seek it out … well, they’re either lying or really good actors.
Now, having staked that position doesn’t mean I don’t fully acknowledge the value of change. Change inspires innovation and improvement. It can give us new perspectives. It can challenge us and kick-start new directions and new adventures.
At least that’s what I’m counting on. You see, yours truly has had plenty of first-hand experience with change lately. And it’s the reason why I’m here introducing myself to you as the new Editor-in-Chief of Landscape Management.
For the previous 26 years, I worked for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and its monthly publication, Golf Course Management. For the past decade, I was GCM’s editor-in-chief and the director of the association’s publications department.
It was an awesome run working in an amazing industry, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished during that time.
But while I hadn’t been actively pursuing a change, I was definitely dealing with that itch to try something new and challenge myself in new ways. My old friend Seth Jones — he and I worked together at GCSAA from 1999-2012 — had no idea about any of that when he called to see if I’d have lunch with him to discuss an opportunity with LM’s parent company, North Coast Media. But sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good, and I figured the worst-case scenario was that Seth had to buy me lunch.
Turns out, it was a best-case scenario for me, and hopefully, it will be the same for LM and the magazine’s loyal audience. The opportunity to work for an industry leader such as LM and with the magazine’s talented team was the perfect way to scratch that itch I was feeling. I’m fired up to get started and can’t wait to learn more about what makes this magazine and amazing industry tick.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t share a caveat, a few thank yous and one request before I go. First, for those wondering, my joining the LM team doesn’t mean your old friend Seth is going anywhere. While he’s ceding the Editor-in-Chief title to me, he’ll retain his role as the magazine’s Editorial Director. He and I will work side-by-side to maintain and, hopefully, expand the momentum LM has demonstrated.
Second, my thanks to everyone at North Coast Media — notably Seth, CEO Kevin Stoltman, Publisher Bill Roddy and Associate Publisher Craig MacGregor — for the warm welcome I’ve received since my announcement. I also have to thank my family — my wife, Britt; my daughters, Alyssa and Adilae; and my son, Alex — for all their support and understanding as I went through the process before taking this exciting leap.
And finally, an invitation to you, the magazine’s loyal readers. While I’m not entering your world completely blind — golf course management is, after all, an adjacent industry to lawn care and landscaping — I have a ton to learn about what you do, how you do it and how this magazine can help you do all that better, faster and smarter. If you see me out and about at an industry event, stop me and say hi. If you have an idea or just want to introduce yourself, operators are standing by. I’m eager to meet everyone and learn about what’s important to you and how we can make this publication even better.
