The time has come to face new challenges

It’s been a great eight and a half years. But now the time has come to move on to other challenges.

This will be my final column, my final issue of Providence Business News. The newspaper will carry on, but with new direction.

I have learned an incredible amount over these several years, understanding not only the area’s business community, but being able at times to explore its soul.

I will be forever grateful for the lessons you have taught me, for the individuals with whom I have met, and from whom I have learned. It is important to me that I learn something new each day.

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This has been an amazing classroom, and my instructors have ranged from the presidents of our largest banks, to our area artists and craftsmen.

I have come to understand the sacrifices and accomplishments of entrepreneurs, some of whom have fathered and mothered among our largest companies, and others who have developed small businesses that remain the backbone of our local economy.

You have taught me about loyalty to the paper, to a company, and to your employees.

You have taught me about work ethic, and how those who have the strongest are the ones who are most likely to survive, even in the toughest of economies.

You have taught me about enterprise and creativity, and about a sense of community.

Without the generosity and overall commitment of this business community, non-profit organizations in this state would surely suffer, and many individuals would never have the opportunity to improve their condition.

At the paper, during my tenure, we have had our share of challenges, but I view challenges as opportunities for creativity, ingenuity and wisdom. Hopefully, in these eight years, we have been able to deal with most challenges so that we could present a fair and honest product every single week.

Our job, I believe, has been to cover the news, wherever that may take us, to serve as a watchdog over those government agencies that impact our overall business community, demanding accountability and leadership. The business community in this area deserves nothing less.

I have remained committed to the integrity of the product, believing that a newspaper, magazine or radio, television or Internet outlet has but one product, its ability to convey information unfettered by influences other than the circumstances that create the news. In other words, our product is our integrity. I feel comfortable that I leave this place with my integrity in tact.

Most of all, I wanted to thank the business community, and particularly all my colleagues who have occupied the various chairs in our newsroom over these several years. I have been privileged to work alongside some veteran journalists, and young reporters just learning the business. Each has made their personal mark on me, and I cherish our collective quest to put out the very best product possible.

It would be difficult to name individuals, since there are so many of you and so many of my colleagues who have had a considerable impact upon me. So collectively, thank you. Hopefully, somewhere out there in the future we’ll meet again,

But for now…

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