My new gig in Steamboat Springs

On June 11, I became the new publisher of the Steamboat Pilot & Today.

The photo that accompanies that story on my hiring was taken at the Yampa River, which runs through downtown Steamboat Springs.The Pilot & Today is a media company in Steamboat Springs, Colo. with a portfolio that includes a daily newspaper, a half-dozen magazines, a website and mobile app, events and a TV channel.

The company serves a vibrant resort community whose downtown is at 6,700 feet in the Rocky Mountains. The Pilot & Today is owned by Swift Communications, a regional family-owned media company that specializes in mountain resort markets with operations in Steamboat, Vail, Aspen, Park City, Lake Tahoe among others. 

I've been in the job about one month, and am having a blast. The market is completely different than my previous publishing gigs in Eugene, Ore., and Bakersfield, Calif. Steamboat is a tourist destination -- the average visit is four days -- so when people visit, they want to make the most of every minute. That dynamic creates an energy that is widespread, whether it's taking full advantage of the great outdoors or an extensive food, drink and shopping scene. 

The city's gorgeous and inviting scenery offers world-class skiing and winter sports, hiking and mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, rafting and hunting. Those attractions make Steamboat an affluent market, and interestingly one whose populace at any given time is divided evenly by permanent residents, second-home owners and tourists. Trying to serve those very diverse markets is a challenge and an opportunity, but one thing I've learned very quickly is locals love "their" Pilot & Today. 

As I said, I'm only about a month into the job, but I'm as excited about the prospects here as I've been with any of the very fruitful and rewarding jobs I've had in the past. There's a lot of fun stuff ahead, and I'll do my best to share them with you.