Jeffrey Wood, Business Journal Publisher, Rides Into Sunset

Journalists typically refer to their farewell writing as “the -30- column.”

The custom dates back to typewriter reporting days when “-30-” was newsroom code for “the end” of a story.

I’d like to think of this as a beginning, although I am leaving Gray Matters LLC and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. I will join Revolution Technologies LLC of Rogers on Oct. 1 as a partner and its new chief operating officer. Revolution may be best known for developing the University of Arkansas’ iHog smart phone “app,” but it has several additional robust business segments.

Its founder and CEO, Tim Lee, has been a friend for years and we are excited about a number of incredible projects we hope to tell you about very soon.

It wasn’t nearly as difficult to take hold of a new challenge as it was to let go. I’ve had 12 wonderful years with this organization and enjoyed relationships with customers and coworkers that will last a lifetime.

I am very proud in particular of the body of journalistic work the eight-time national award-winning Business Journal has produced.

Instead of trying to mention every colleague here, I will simply say this: Most people are lucky if they have one “Camelot” experience in their career – a time and place where the camaraderie and chaos make each success and failure such extraordinary fun.

I’ve been fortunate enough to experience that twice, most recently with a Business Journal team that knows who they are.

We made our goal to inform, entertain, educate and hopefully elevate the discussion on subjects important to you – the business leader. I am confident that will continue, and that the entire team is in good hands.

Gray Matters’ CEO Darin Gray hasn’t just been a mentor. He has, and will continue to be, a great friend. Ditto for the rest of the staff.

A couple of years ago I wrote a commentary thanking all of the media types who have meant so much to me. I should have thanked one person though more than my ink-stained brethren, my mother Lynn Cline.

A retired elementary reading and literacy teacher in Paragould, she encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I was only one of thousands of kids over the years to be influenced by her enthusiasm for literature. She, along with retired Paragould High School English teacher Bonnie Hamilton, helped me turn my love of writing into a 21-year media career.

Farewell columns become an exercise in hubris at some point if one’s not careful. There’s a great scene in the movie “The Paper” to that end. Robert Duvall tells a yarn about Pablo Picasso settling a tab to make Glenn Close understand – media members aren’t the story. We just tell it.

That said, the greater aim is for there to be a takeaway here for anyone else who may be approaching the tender age of 40 and considering a career move.

The best way to share it is to say, there’s no magic answer. You have to trust your gut, be willing to take a little risk, and be eager to pursue “learn gain” in its many forms. It will be scary. It will be exciting.

The more transparent you can be with your boss or team, the better you will feel about each other at the end of the journey. And don’t hesitate to seek counsel from smart people whom you trust and respect.

Don Soderquist, the retired vice-chairman of Wal-Mart Stores, advised the following: “Don’t burn bridges. Don’t compromise. Take some time off. (To make sure it’s not just burnout.) Be wise.”

Deene Hyde, our accounting and human resources manager, said “You’ll know its right when your heart is at peace.” I don’t know if your heart is ever completely at peace when traversing this kind of crossroad.

But the sentiment is right in business and in life.

Deene may have helped me most while reflecting about a “Camelot” experience of her own. It’s hard to put into words how much you value a group of readers, customers and friends.

She did it though, while making a point about transitions and how fond memories are like treasures you take along. She and her husband, Jim, helped start a new church in Austin, Texas, years ago, and her recollection of that time lit up her face like the Amarillo sun.

“They were my forever friends,” she said a little glassy eyed. “My forever friends.”

And that is how I will remember you.