Publisher’s Toast: IT’S TIME!

My time as the publisher of a beverage magazine is coming to an end: I will, sadly, be retiring from my role at BevNET at the end of the year.

BevNET Live, in December, will be the final coda to a career that has given me joy, fulfillment and satisfaction for 35 years. It boggles my mind to think that I’ve been doing this gig for all these years. Just typing the word “retirement” evokes many emotions, but the strongest cocktail is one of sadness mixed with elation. I hope it was a job well done. I loved it. But I just turned 78, and now have three grandkids that will occupy my time. Nothing tops that, but it’s a close race, because chronicling this most
dynamic industry has been the love of my professional life.

I started in 1981, launching Beverage Aisle for Keller publishing. The magazine became an instant success,covering the machinations and nuances of marketing and retailing brands, something that was highly important for the growing marketplace. I had a great 10 year run with the magazine, but sadly, after three different owners, the last one I philosophically didn’t like or respect, it was time to go.

I didn’t go far. With an industry friend who had admired Beverage Aisle, we launched a competitor, Beverage Spectrum. The large multi-national company that owned my old mag scoffed at us little upstarts having the audacity to challenge them, but we put Beverage Aisle out of business in 10 months. What they didn’t see or know is that there’s a winning combination: friendships and relationships are key, as is having a product that merits the industry’s respect.

But I knew that a one-magazine company couldn’t survive, so the next progression was to bring the magazine to a rightful place. Hence the move to BevNET. Having met John Craven around the industry, liking him and the BevNET site, I thought the synergy of two terrific products would be a great marriage. John agreed, and the rest is history. He asked me to stay on for a little while, as I was the heart and soul of the magazine. Little did I realize then that a short-term
commitment would lead to 25 years. And it has been a most glorious 25 years.

I have staked my career around knowing and supporting the industry, giving its many professionals guidance and knowledge, but my strength, for the people that know me, has always been my ability to make friends. Throughout these 35 years, the most important endorsement to me has been hearing from people that they liked and respected me.

I will be here for the rest of the year, and look forward to connecting to friends old and new. I’m grateful to have loved every minute of my beverage life. I wish for everyone to have that in their career.