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Kevin Ireton answers: Why would I quit the best job I ever had?

Kevin Ireton, editor-at-large

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Why would I quit the best job I ever had in the middle of the worst recession since the 1930s?

I have been an editor at Fine Homebuilding for almost half my life. It was 23 years ago that I walked off a job site in Maine and into these offices. At that point, I had never used a computer, but I did know how to mortise a hinge with a chisel, lay out a rafter, and cut stair stringers, thanks to this fledgling magazine.

A few years later, my boss departed abruptly (a casualty of the last big recession), my colleagues took a giant step backward, and I found myself alone at the top of the masthead. For some people, the editorship of a national magazine, even one as small as Fine Homebuilding, is cause for arrogance. For me, it has ever been cause for trepidation. To be in charge of the magazine that had been my salvation as a carpenter was a frightful responsibility. Others might have thought to put their mark on the thing. But I figured I was just running the middle leg of the relay, and my only thought was “don’t drop the baton.”

Well, I didn’t drop the baton, though I may have stumbled once or twice. Some of you, I know, have never forgiven me for publishing that article about installing vinyl siding, not to mention the open letter to President Obama. But after running the magazine for 17 years, I’m tired. I want to live a slower, quieter, and more contemplative life. I want to get back to writing, which was my first love and what brought me here in the first place.

So I’m passing the baton to Brian Pontolilo, and I’m assuming the wonderfully vague title of “editor at large.” I pushed for “editor on the loose,” but Brian, already demonstrating better judgment than I, wouldn’t go for it.

I can think of no final gesture as editor of Fine Homebuilding more appropriate than to thank all of you who have made my work here both possible and immensely pleasurable. It has been an absolute honor to serve as the conduit between the thousands of you who generously share what you know and the hundreds of thousands of you who value that knowledge. Thank you, and please keep up the good work. It’s more important than ever.

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Comments (3)

GaryW writes: Although I thought I'd always see your name at the top of the mast head, I know you're leaving for all the right reasons, and I wish you the best. When talking about my own time at FWW, I like to recall how flying paper airplanes over the partitions was an occasional past time. You were, and still are one of the best names within the covers of FHB.

Take care,
Gary Weisenburger
Posted: 2:40 pm on July 17th

blueheeler writes: Hello from Down Under, Kevin

Best wishes for your future. By the way, the term "Better than Plumb" - according to a really old (and very skilled builder) we have used from time to time signifies just that - you can't get it any better.I seem to remember from your first electronic issue that your understanding was the opposite. That is, the measurement had moved out of 90 degree. Maybe it's the fact we are down under.

Maybe I'm wrong, but whatever, I Just hope your retirement is "Better than Plumb" (my version that is)

Cheers

Jim Clayden

PS I retired six years ago and have never been busier. Makes me wonder why I left the best job I ever had.
Posted: 4:00 am on May 29th

gable1934 writes: I'm a hands on builder. Read the mag for years. Good job and good luck. Go build a house.
Posted: 11:08 pm on May 28th

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