Tables turned. Instead of writing about the news this week, I made the news.

I am moving on to become the new president/CEO of the New Jersey Credit Union League effective Dec. 3. Given my tenure here and my passion for this publication, this of course wasn't an easy decision, but I believe the right one. I am excited for the opportunity to get more involved on the grassroots level.

Will it be easy? No way. I am not that na??ve. I know this league has had challenges, but what's life without challenges? What I do know is strong associations can benefit credit unions and I am certain New Jersey credit unions want a strong league. I hope I can play a role in getting us there.

But this column isn't about the future, it's about the past. I have thought long and hard how to approach this and there's only one thing to say--thanks.

Thanks to the outstanding staff members, past and present, who have worked so hard over the years to make this the top publication covering credit unions.

Our approach has always been to tell it like it is, and that is not an easy thing to live up to. People tend to think you're out to make trouble or stir things up to "sell papers" as I've heard countless times over the years. Not at all. We always felt an obligation to tell it like it is so credit unions are fully aware of what's happening around them, good or bad. Should we give bankers a platform in this publication? Many have said no, but if we didn't let credit unions in on what their opposition was thinking, would we really be doing our jobs? So I commend this editorial staff for facing the heat and not shying away from the tougher stories. I will miss working with them, but will become their biggest fan as I follow their great work going forward.

The amount of time and work that goes into each weekly deadline is just tremendous. I don't want to bore readers with our processes and operations, but trust me when I tell you we pull out every stop each week to ensure you have the latest news about credit unions. Whether it's completely revamping page one at the last minute for breaking news, or putting in lots of weekend time and late hours to get one of our many 100-plus page issues done each year, everyone pulls out all the stops.

I am leaving Credit Union Times at the top of its game. The dedicated editorial, sales and production staffers will continue to put out solid issues and their relationships with sources and vendors aren't going away. Leadership is committed to bringing in top-notch people to fill my shoes. The publication will continue to be strong and deliver the news credit unions need to know. It will continue to be a forum for ideas.

There are so many stories to tell that illustrate our commitment to credit unions over the years. I'll never forget down in Florida when our offices were powerless for days due to a hurricane. Of course, they were prime deadline days. In publishing there's no second team editorial staff or production staff you can call on the other coast to fill in, it's up to you. We packed up computers and cell phones and hit the road to find places with power, driving hundreds of miles. Long days and nights but the issue was put out on time.

I am proud to report we have never missed a deadline, even in the face of 156-page show issues that fell on holiday weekends, where staff had to work on July 4th or Labor Day to get the job done. They have done it countless times.

I owe a special thanks to my friend and mentor Mike Welch who showed me what great leadership is all about. Mike always put the publication first and I hope he would think that I fulfilled that

tradition.

It's been a labor of love and now I move on to

a more grassroots level. Fortunately the many

relationships I developed over the years will carry on in my new role.

Finally, I was truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I have received from my friends and colleagues when this news broke. Thank you and I'll see you at the shows!

I wish the staff of Credit Union Times luck, but I know they don't need it. They are a first-class crew who understands what it takes to put out a first-class publication.

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