The (not exactly) new guy at CW

Hello again. Some of you may remember me from a few years ago when I spent some time writing and editing for CompositesWorld. In 2020, I received an offer to become the editor-in-chief of CW’s sister publication, Products Finishing (PF). It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I loved my work with CW. I had incredible respect for everyone on the team and had learned so much from each of them. I was reporting on topics that I was fascinated by including space travel, sustainability solutions and amazing applications that seemed to have been brought to life from science fiction. I told Jeff Sloan that I hoped I was making a move that would build my skills which might one day allow me to return to CW in a larger role. 

The timing seemed right — or so I thought (I started my work with PF in March 2020, but that’s a whole other story). I made the leap and found myself at the helm of a magazine for a seemingly completely different industry. Compared to the advanced materials world that I’d been trying so hard to get my mind around, the world of metal finishing and coatings seemed so old school. Yet, the more I dug in, the more I learned about the intersections of manufacturing and that no technology should be discounted when you’re trying to find the right mix of materials or processes for what you’re trying to make. I found there were plenty of good stories to tell — and those stories gave me a better understanding of how the various areas of the larger manufacturing world work together.

Stepping into the role of editor-in-chief of CW is humbling.

Communication is key to the success of any project — it’s also no easy matter. Certain aspects of a part or process must be kept under wraps for security purposes, IP needs to be protected, the secret sauce must remain secret. Yet innovation requires partnerships, new perspectives and the best minds. I remember CW’s senior technical editor Ginger Gardiner always talking about working to “connect the dots.” The work we do at CW’s parent company, Gardner Business Media (GBM), is all about helping those in the industry stay on top of the latest trends, innovations and industry developments and make connections, all while being a trusted partner in the story we’re helping to tell. It’s a fine line to walk — one that CW has been walking for 30 years, and that our sister brands at GBM also exemplify. After spending a few years learning about other aspects of the bigger picture of manufacturing, I’m excited to explore the ways those stories intersect. To connect even more dots.

You don’t need me to tell you that the work the composites industry does will play an enormous role in shaping the future of the world we live in. From advances in commercial aerospace and advanced air mobility to renewable energy and sustainable solutions, composites are a materials solution that make a lot of things possible that were once far-fetched. And their role in the whole of manufacturing will only continue to grow. We have so many great things to build and stories to tell.

Stepping into the role of editor-in-chief of CW is humbling. There are so many people including Jeff and Ginger, as well as our valued industry partners and contacts, who have spent their careers working in this industry and building a wealth of knowledge and experience. I have also worked next to the newer members of the CW team and have seen the great work they’ve done as I explored the world of industrial coatings for PF. I count myself incredibly lucky to work even more closely with all of them again. Luckier still that Jeff, now the publisher and brand champion for CW, will still be here to bounce ideas off, and share his experience and vision for the brand.

Throughout my time at Gardner, I’ve had some truly incredible mentors. As the new editor for CW, I’m looking to continue that learning. I’m excited to reconnect with those of you in the industry that I worked with in my previous stint reporting on this industry, and looking forward to forming new relationships with those of you I’ve yet to meet. Our connections are what make us who we are and who we become next. I hope you’re as excited as I am about the work ahead of us.