For two years, we were inseparable – through every breaking news story, deadline crisis, planning meeting and staged tech event. And every day, Nancy Blair was there for me, for our tech team. With little or no fanfare and absent ego, she toiled at editing, writing and producing content online and in print – making all of us look better, no matter what day or time. It was never about her. It was about all of us. I vividly recall the day Flight 214 of Asiana Airlines crashed at SFO, my first day of vacation in July 2013. It was a Saturday and, without fail, Nancy raced from San Francisco to help me. She repeatedly apologized to me that day for not being an expert on covering plane crashes – LOL, WHO IS? – but she was there when I needed someone to help me through a difficult day. As she always was. In hindsight, it’s funny how we worked together: She was the organized, meticulous product expert; me, the disorganized, idea-heavy, enterprise-reporting throwback. Yet, it worked swimmingly, and we laughed together nearly every day despite the daily pressures. One late night at CES, we hatched a plan to take over the Money section – she working from San Francisco, me from New York. It all seemed so logical then, in the dim glow of a Vegas bar at 1 a.m. Back then, anything seemed possible. Things weren’t always perfect, and deadlines wore on us heavily over the past 24 months, but we managed to carry on. In fact, we grew to love and admire each other and become better people through it all. Nothing gives me greater pride and comfort than that. Thank you, Nancy. Nancy’s departure deeply saddens me, but it also heartens me. I’m happy for her latest adventure and sense a great deal of excitement from her. Passion is what guides all of us, if we’re lucky enough in life to have jobs we love. Without it, why else subject ourselves to what – at times – can be brutal profession? I’ve been extraordinarily lucky in my career and surrounded by some of the best people in the field. Yet on so many levels, I cherish these last two years with Nancy Blair – my former editor who became my co-editor and trusted friend – as much as any experience. I’ll miss you greatly, Nancy, and I know I’ll see you often. It just won’t be the same -- as it’s been these past two glorious years. All the best, Your favorite troublemaker.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:38:20 +0000
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