It’s great to be in Wichita

It was about 6:30 in the morning on July 30 when I sat at my kitchen table in Jackson, Tenn., for the last time.

As I ate breakfast, I scrolled through stories on Kansas.com using the app on my iPhone. I came across a post by reporter Annie Calovich headlined, “11 fun things to do in the Wichita area this weekend.”

The National Baseball Congress World Series, an event at Exploration Place, a ballet performance, a couple of concerts and several presentations of “Jesus Christ Superstar” by Music Theatre Wichita were among the listings.

The variety and number of events reinforced what I already knew: Wichita is a great place to live.

I’m the new editor of The Eagle and Kansas.com, and I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself.

When I finished breakfast that morning, I made the 10.5-hour drive from Jackson to Wichita so I could begin work the following Monday. I’ve now completed my first week of work.

Wichita is the fourth stop in my 30-year career in journalism, and I am excited to be here. I previously worked as a reporter and editor at the Finger Lakes Times in Geneva, N.Y., then in editing roles at the Fayetteville Observer in North Carolina and most recently as the editor of the Jackson Sun.

Roy Heatherly, president and publisher of The Eagle, was my boss in Jackson before he moved here last year.

Roy contacted me when it was announced Sherry Chisenhall was leaving The Eagle to become the managing editor of the Charlotte Observer in North Carolina. The more I learned about Wichita and the team here at The Eagle, the more I became convinced this would be a good place for me and my family.

My wife, Jean, is a teacher. Our son Luke will enter his junior year of high school this week, and our son Ben begins his junior year of college this month at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

I stepped onto Kansas soil for the first time in my life at about 11:30 p.m. one night in June. I was bleary-eyed from a day of air travel, but was immediately impressed with Wichita’s airport.

During my visit, I was also impressed with the thriving arts, entertainment and restaurant district downtown, the development along the riverfront and the ease of driving from one side of town to the other in a city the size of Wichita.

I have been blessed by tremendous communities and co-workers at every turn in my career. I can tell already that things will be no different in Wichita.

My efforts last week focused on getting to know the news team at The Eagle and Kansas.com.

Though I’ve got plenty of learning to do, I can unequivocally tell you this: You have a top-notch news, sports, features, photography/videography and commentary team working on your behalf. In the weeks and months ahead, we will work to get even better.

As I settle in at The Eagle, I will reach out to the community. I want to meet as many of you as possible and go as many places as possible. Community relationships and community knowledge are keys for anyone in a news organization.

Do you have a suggestion for a must-see place to add to my list? Shoot me an e-mail or give me a call. I look forward to your feedback.

I can’t wait to add to my list of things that make Wichita a great place to call home.

This story was originally published August 7, 2016 at 12:05 AM with the headline "It’s great to be in Wichita."