Some of us have blessings in our lives, personally, professionally or even both. I’m one of those fortunate people. I’ve been lucky enough to become what I wanted to be when I grew up. How many people can say that? My desire to become a magazine editor took root way back in seventh grade — a childhood dream that incredibly came true. I'm deeply aware of how rare such a blessing is.
After grad school, I spent 14 years as Executive Editor of four magazines covering the sheet metal forming & fabricating industry. Whenever I tell people I was 12 years old when I started that job, nobody believes me. I can’t figure out why.
Then fate brought me to The Journal in 2004, 10 years after its launch in 1994. Honestly, this job has been the best in my publishing career. It's surreal to think that I've experienced such consistent joy for two decades.
As we publish our final issue this June, we reflect with pride and gratitude on the partnership that made this publication possible. You can help us celebrate our 32 years in our retrospective article to take a fun trip down memory lane.
Part of what’s made this my best job is my excitement when meeting readers, listening to your challenges and identifying ways we can offer meaningful support. The feeling of contributing to someone's job success and business growth is profoundly gratifying.
It's also been an immense honor to get to know and build friendships with people at Rockwell Automation and companies in its PartnerNetwork.
And I was privileged to collaborate with some of publishing's smartest and most talented individuals. Like Mike Brenner, my Publisher and boss for 19 years. His leadership, humor and kindness, combined with his relentless teasing — including constantly insisting that I’m a dork and claiming I always requested too much time off — made him the big brother I never had. “Best Boss Ever” doesn’t even come close.
Managing Editor Amanda Joshi joined our team 15 years ago and brought her superpower of producing great ideas. And there’s Steve Herner, Derek Chamberlain and Michael Annino, some of the most remarkable and hilarious designers around.
Above all, I want to express my sincere gratitude to you, our readers, for your unwavering loyalty and valuable feedback. Serving you for the past 20 years, helping you excel in your roles, has been an incredible honor and privilege. Thank you for making my dream job a reality and allowing it to contribute meaningfully to our industry.
Best regards,
Theresa Houck, Executive Editor
The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork
The Journal From Rockwell Automation and Our PartnerNetwork™ is published by Endeavor Business Media.
