June 13, 2011 – Didja hear about the new editor at Powersports Business?

Didja hear that Powersports Business has a new Senior Editor? Apologies for the late introduction. Day 2 of my venture began with an interview of an OEM CEO, and I’ve been battling a flurry of powersports acronyms ever since.

As one executive mentioned as I’ve started to make introductions, getting a handle on the position “must be liking trying to take a sip from a firehose.”

Funny stuff, I thought, and accurate. The news and information that Powersports Business provides to its readers originates from some well-entrenched sources in the business. Associate editor Liz Hochstedler has been on the powersports beat for less than nine months and works the phones and data like a seasoned veteran. Dealers and business owners with whom I’ve spoken are always eager to lend a hand. Hopefully you’ll do the same.

I’ve written for a handful of different daily newspapers, magazines and websites and have never been one to hesitate from taking the plunge, regardless of the subject matter.

That’s why I went to Newnan, Ga., last month to see Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation’s state-of-the-art technology at its manufacturing plant there. It gave me a whole new appreciation for “Made in the USA” and was an ideal introduction to powersports manufacturing and production.

I spent five years growing up in Newnan, and while the small town environment has changed over that time span, the hospitality has not wavered one bit. I stopped into Sprayberry’s — the barbeque there is as much a staple of the town as is the “Newnan City of Homes” sign atop the Carnegie Library on the town square — to investigate the crazy growth that’s happened in the area.

One patron summed up the area growth well, southern drawl oozing: “No sugar, it ain’t like it used to be around here.”

But it’s still where I grew up, and 25 years later it still offers reliability — I can always go back.

You’ve probably noticed some changes on the pages of PSB in recent months, also. Don’t worry, like your old hometown, PSB is always going to be reliable — evolving and using fresh approaches to help the varied backgrounds of our audience stay connected.

The passion I’ve seen upon entering the business is remarkable. I plan to use a mix of my journalistic background and entrepreneurial flair to make Powersports Business a vital part of your day, both electronically and in print. As the first two OEM CEOs (there go the acronyms again) that I’ve met told me within minutes of their introduction, Powersports Business plays an important role in the industry on a variety levels. My response? “It’ll stay that way.”

I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your businesses.

In the meantime, I’ll be around, asking “Didja hear…”