Even lottery winners learn to earn
or wind up squandering the chance

Thank goodness for the smart people surrounding me. I am immersed in getting out my first issue of San Diego Metropolitan, have missed my deadline and must finish this inaugural column soon or I won’t be on the plane accompanying my family on a long-planned vacation.

    The opportunity to take Metro's editor's chair in the midst of an exciting ownership transition is thrilling, almost like winning a journalism lottery. It also is a responsibility I take seriously, especially after reading a press release for a new book called "What You Need To Know Before You Win The Lottery." Author Tom Reilly reports that 50 percent of lottery winners go bankrupt. It drives home that success is not given, it is earned.

    My journalism background in San Diego covers 12 years. Jobs I’ve held run the gamut from weekly, twice-weekly and daily newspaper reporting and editing, to producing a monthly business magazine. As a reporter I’ve shot photos, talked shop with cops, dug into city halls, interviewed countless politicians, written about the county's largest businesses and got to meet Tony Gwynn, once, at a 1984 post-season party to which small papers were invited and Gwynn sparkled as the nicest guy in the room.

    My move into editors' ranks began with a stint as managing editor of San Diego Executive magazine. Later, I had the honor of being asked to take the managing editor's job at the San Diego Daily Transcript. Then-editor Gary Shaw extended the invitation.

    Those fun days came and went. After parting ways with the Daily Transcript a year ago, I resisted offers to stay in journalism. Instead I focused on opportunities that offered a better way to support my growing family. The result was an exciting 12 months at the side of John Brice, a brilliant and indomitable PR man with a nose for news that puts to shame many reporters I know.

    I'd still be at Brice & Associates today, but Gary called.

    My friend Gary. I’ve seen his children shortly after they were born; he's seen mine. Our families hang out. He turned 40 first; I’m right behind. Gary is honest and honorable, not to mention the finest writer and editor I’ve ever known. The opportunity to work at Shaw's side, to create a new vision for San Diego Metropolitan, was, and is, irresistible.

    What I’m laboring to say here is this is a serious journalistic effort, one where the editor's commitment extends far beyond the paycheck. It’s personal. Watch us soar.

    It has been my privilege over the years to work with numerous talented editors - David Harpster, Marcella Maddux, Johnnie Lou Rosas, Sandy Pasqua, Martin Kruming, Priscilla Lister, Janet Lowe, Manny Cruz and David Whiteside among them - and I’ll do my best to bring a bit of each of their talents to the Metropolitan.

    Metropolitan's mission is to inform and delight; to present relevant stories that provoke or amuse; to provide a fresh insight into the business and lifestyles unique to San Diego. When an article is great, please congratulate the writer. When the opposite occurs, call me. My extension is 304.

    This first issue provides a taste of where we are heading. The future looks bright. I promise to marshal these lottery winnings wisely.