If you are a longtime SFBW reader and are wondering what the heck I am doing back here with an editor’s column, well there’s a story behind that. It was just a few weeks ago that Brandi Gangel, operations officer for parent company Babcox Media, sent a text to introduce herself and saying she heard about me from several of my former colleagues. She asked if I might be interested in some content opportunities.
A few days later, we had a frank conversation about why I left 3 ½ years ago—let’s just say after 40 years of continuous employment, I was ready to retire and play in the dirt. (I have a complicated garden with about 1,000 plants.)
Well, it has been a long time to play in the dirt, so I told her doing some writing was intriguing. (OK, I am also old enough to get Medicare and maybe it’s time to pay someone to do some gardening.)
During the conversation, she said Kevin Kaminski, the Lifestyle editor who was my SFBW counterpart, was having health issues. That was hard to hear. KK had the office next to mine and was the guy I would point to as the real, bonafide magazine editor. He lived and breathed magazines.
Brandi and I had a very enjoyable conversation about Babcox Media’s purchase of Lifestyle. Her enthusiasm was contagious. Babcox is a 100-year-old company with a major stable of automotive publications and has an abundance of cutting-edge resources.
Unfortunately, Kevin passed away shortly after our conversation. As 2024 began, SFBW Editor Drew Limsky left the company. I didn’t get to know Drew, but his stories in this issue show he is a talented wordsmith.
So, it’s back to the future and I’m here as interim group editor for SFBW and Lifestyle magazine, where I was also once the editor. The enthusiasm from within Lifestyle and the business community has been quite gratifying.
It has been a pleasure to go through the stories in this issue.
I’ll start with Kerry-Ann Royes, president and CEO of YWCA South Florida, who graces the cover. I’d agree with writer Jesse Scott that she has an infectious and inspiring aura. Any organization would be fortunate to have her as a leader.
I once wrote a cover story about BBX Capital’s Alan B. Levan and am happy to see how he has followed through on his contributions to the innovation center at Nova Southeastern University.
He knows success in business isn’t just about profits, it’s about giving back.
