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On-Time Departure

After all the talk about whether or not I should change my picture -- I’ve used the same one for five years, after all -- I have finally decided that it is indeed time for a change. However, I figure if you’re going to go to the trouble of changing something, then why not go big? With that in mind, not only will I be changing my picture (you’ll see a drastic difference), but I’ll also be taking this opportunity to change direction with my career. So, sadly, this will be my last issue.

Yep, I’m afraid it’s true. After 17 years (that may be the hardest thing to believe!) at American Airlines Publishing, with five of those as editor of American Way, I’m vacating my chair and leaving my pencils to a new editor. But more on him later.

The question I’m asked the most when I share what I consider to be my pretty exciting news is: What’s next? And to be honest, that’s a question I’m asking myself as well. But I don’t intend to answer it quickly or haphazardly.

As I’ve written here before, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what I’m going to do for the next 20 years of my life. I want to take all of my knowledge and experience and use it in a new career that will challenge and inspire me. I’m considering a variety of jobs, but they all revolve around a few things: capitalizing on my project management and people skills, creativity, and the need to always be exploring and learning. Contributing to the world in some way is also something I would like to play a role in my future career.

But, of course, in addition to feeling excitement about what’s next, I am definitely saddened at the thought of leaving behind my boss, my coworkers, and our readers, who together have added so much fun, laughter, hard work, stimulation, and brainpower to my life.

When I look back over the last five years, I’m so proud of the many things all of us have accomplished with the magazine. I know it’s well read and enjoyed because you tell me so, and I know we have a wonderful time putting it all together. I’ve gotten to work alongside many talented people for the last 1,800 days (wow, is that really all five years adds up to?), plus or minus the standard three percent margin of error.

So now, let’s talk about the magazine’s future. (Did you ever think you’d see the day I’d relinquish my “all about me” position?) The new executive editor is Adam Pitluk. Adam has worked with the publishing group for about three years, most recently as editorial director of our custom-publishing group. Before he landed at American, Adam worked at Time and was an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. Oh, and did I mention he has a bachelor’s in journalism, a master’s from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and he went to law school?

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Adam the past few years, and he’s a creative, energetic editor who -- along with the great staff we all know works a lot harder than I ever have -- will put out a fabulous magazine with all of your interests in mind.

So, thank you for all the fun years, and look for me on one of your flights (in an actual seat instead of in a seat-back pocket) soon. And to all of you cool editors and designers, think about me at 10:02!

Sherri Gulczynski Burns

Editor