CE Pro June 2023 - 4

From the Editor
by Jason Knott
Time for a Changing of the Guard
Looking
back on the
past 23 years
at CE Pro, I have
always aimed
to stay focused
on the stated
mission of the
brand: " To help
you run your
business better. "
AT A RECENT BUYING GROUP meeting, I
gathered my breakfast and found a familiar
face at one of the tables to join a veteran
integrator who is an old friend. As I sat down
and eyed my bacon and eggs, he asked me,
" Haven't you retired yet? " That question
might have been a sign, because while I am
not retiring, it is with bittersweetness that I
bid you all a fond farewell as editor-in-chief
of CE Pro.
After more than three decades covering
low-voltage electronics (33 years in all), I'm
changing careers, which is not easy at my age
(don't ask). I am moving on to an incredible
opportunity with the D-Tools Data Solutions
Group that I just could not pass up. I'll be
excited to communicate with all of you in my
new role - you aren't rid of me yet!
Looking back on 23 years at CE Pro, I have
always aimed to stay focused on the stated
mission of the brand: " To help you run your
business better. " I have tried to stay true to
that mission with integrity and dignity, and
I hope I have earned your respect in how I
have conducted myself.
Focusing on CE Pro's mission means over
Jason Knott is editor
of CE Pro. He can
be reached at
jasonk@d-tools.com
and @JasonWKnott
the years I have tackled numerous industry
challenges and offered solutions, introduced
you to new and future product categories,
crunched data to provide benchmarks to
help you guide your business, and connected
buyers and sellers. I pounded and pounded
you about developing recurring monthly
revenue (RMR) streams for your businesses.
I offered advice and made predictions - I
wasn't always right, but it was always with
the best intentions. Above all, my primary
role since 2000 has been to listen to your
feedback and interests, and reflect those
needs in the pages of CE Pro, on the website
and in our newsletters.
This is the greatest industry in the world.
There is an entrepreneurial spirit engrained
in every integrator, manufacturer, rep and
4 | CE Pro June 2023
distributor that's unmatched by any other
business I know. The services you provide
for your customers brings joy to the world.
It was not a coincidence that the federal
government determined this industry as
essential during the pandemic.
I leave you in the more-than capable
hands of my longtime colleagues at CE Pro.
New Editor-in-Chief Arlen Schweiger has
been with CE Pro and our sister publications
for 17 years, including a stint editor-in-chief
of Electronic House. His depth of industry
knowledge is immense and he already has
plans to continue elevating the brand.
Bob Archer has been by my side as senior
editor for 23 years, handling everything
tech-related not just for CE Pro but for
several of our other brands. He is one of
those rare individuals who is very technically
adept but makes his product reviews and
news simple to understand for readers of all
knowledge levels.
Nick Boever has only been with Emerald
for about two years, working with me on our
DesignWell brand before moving over to be
web editor on CE Pro last year. He's the best
web editor we have had.
I could never have imagined 23+ years ago
when Ken Moyes and Julie Jacobson invited
me to lunch at a tradeshow that this journey
would be so incredible and rewarding. CE Pro
has been life-changing for me, and I hope
during my stewardship of this vaunted brand
it has helped you achieve your own goals.
The friendships I have gained over nearly
a quarter-century are too numerous to mention.
Those will never disappear. So, as I say,
" thank you " for what you have done for me,
I will leave you with, " So long, farewell, auf
Wiedersehen, good night. " (Now that song is
stuck in your head... gotcha!)
Jason Knott
Editor-in-Chief, CE Pro (for the last time)
cepro.com
http://www.cepro.com
CE Pro June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CE Pro June 2023
