Hello, my name is Bill Hayes, and I am the new managing editor of Directors & Boards and Private Company Director magazines.
Eighteen years. That's how long I served as the managing editor of the Pennsylvania CPA Journal, the flagship publication of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. At 18, my tenure as the managing editor for that publication was three years away from being able to go on a casino floor in New Jersey, where it probably would have played blackjack because everyone knows it's the easiest game to beat the house (or so I am told). It was three years away from being able to buy a fancy craft beverage for an exorbitant price in a beer store or a supermarket or, heck, even your neighborhood flower shop, it seems these days. This would also have been the first year my tenure would have been able to vote in a federal election (which I will not joke about because you don't joke about politics in an introductory note; talk about a potential landmine).I was respected, I was comfortable and I was good at my job. What's not to like? But there is another landmark of life that tends to happen at age 18: I started wondering what I would like to do with the rest of my life. Looking at the occasional job site, I saw an opening for a managing editor for Directors & Boards and Private Company Director magazines. The responsibilities were familiar. Developing and executing an editorial plan? Check! Develop and publish e-newsletters? Check! Update digital platforms on a regular basis with fresh, new content? Check! This position seemed perfect for me. I went for it! And the good people of MLR Holdings agreed. I became the new managing editor and got to spend my first week helping to put out proofreading fires for the upcoming First Quarter 2022 edition of Directors & Boards.
That brings me to where I am today as I make this introduction and, really, a bit of a confession. I have to admit: At this time, I do not see myself as an expert on corporate governance. Not yet, at least. Publishing Director David Shaw, Executive Editor-at-Large Charles Elson, and Chairman Bob Rock are taking steps to remedy that, including book recommendations, Microsoft Teams chats, and all-around valuable counsel. And I will get up to speed! Again, I spent 18 years as the editor of an accounting magazine and, believe me, before that time, you wouldn't have wanted me to complete your taxes (full disclosure: you still don't)! But why do I sit here, detailing my shortcomings for the world to read?
In short, I need your help. Feel free to reach out to me at bhayes@directorsandboards.com. Let me know what you see as the most pressing topics in the world of both public company corporate governance and business governance for board members of privately owned companies. If you have an idea for a piece you think would benefit our readers, especially if you yourself would be willing to write it, don't keep it bottled up inside. That can give you ulcers. Instead, let me know and we will figure out a platform to best get your information circulated. I look forward to working with all of you in the near future.
It is an honor to serve as the managing editor for Directors & Boards and Private Company Director magazines. I look forward to continuing Directors & Boards' 45-year tradition of keeping our audience up to date on the most important news affecting public company boards. Most importantly, however, I am excited to make connections with you, our loyal and valued readers. Please don't hesitate to reach out!