Ann Morris, who has been managing editor here since 2003, is leaving us.
It pains me just to write that sentence.
Right now, she's going to enjoy spending the summer with her two daughters and doing volunteer work. Eventually, she plans to rejoin the official workforce, perhaps in a community service role.
It's a tough loss for us because Ann has been deeply involved in all the important moves we've made over the past five years, including redesigning the paper, revamping Sunday, creating more digital elements, and conceiving and editing much of the compelling journalism we've produced. She has also recruited some of the best young journalists around. Her decisions made the paper better every day.
It's a tough loss for me personally because she has been a valued counselor and mentor to me. I admire her for making the decision she did; I know how much she loves journalism. After all, she has spent most of her career as a journalist, including 12 years here as a reporter, editorial writer and editor.
But I also know how challenging it is to raise two pre-teen daughters. Ann is working on the right things.
I've always thought that the managing editor's job is a meat grinder. Responsible for the daily operations of the paper, daily operations that span from 8 a.m. to past midnight seven days a week without break. Pressure from people like me on items big and small. Pressure from reporters and other editors on everything else. While all the time listening to and responding to readers.
She handled it all seamlessly.
As for her future, she will make a huge contribution wherever she lands. Any organization would be lucky to have her. And I'm crossing my fingers she'll come back here.