Page 4 - Issue 41

(My Last) Editor’s Notes

ait, what?!
No, I’m not leaving and no the magazine isn’t going
anywhere. We’re just moving things around to produce
the best possible magazine we can for a long long time.
WSometimes switching things up is a good thing, especially
when it brings new energy into the mix – and that’s exactly what
Follow me on Twitter we’re doing here.
@EditorStevo We have the same team in place that has been publishing this
magazine for the past few years – albeit in different roles. Stepping
up to take on the Editor in Chief position is a face and name you’re
A toast – to 7 all familiar with, Jerry Ripley. Together we’ve created the Build-Off,
incredible years coordinated Tours, cultivated the Steelfest and Grafton events,
in the captain’s created the Home-Built Summit, won design awards, collaborated
chair – and to you, on covers, and even published a motorcycle magazine for a year.
the readers who’ve Jerry and his wife Tracy had published Ride Hard Magazine out of
St Louis before that, and he has a ton of real-world experience. He
been here all along.
been here all along. St Louis before that, and he has a ton of real-world experience. He
is an accomplished photographer and editor and a man who is as
Here’s to another is an accomplished photographer and editor and a man who is as
Here’s to another
7 years of Rat Rod passionate about the home-builder and rat rod scene as anybody.
passionate about the home-builder and rat rod scene as anybody.
7 years of Rat Rod
craziness, and Jerry brings a lot to this magazine both in talent and personality, and
craziness, and
Jerry brings a lot to this magazine both in talent and personality, and
beyond. we’re all thrilled to have him step up into this new role – and I’m extra
beyond.
we’re all thrilled to have him step up into this new role – and I’m extra
excited because it allows me to focus all my attention on one area of
excited because it allows me to focus all my attention on one area of
the magazine instead of running around like a head with my chicken
the magazine instead of running around like a head with my chicken
cut off. (go ahead, you can use that one)
cut off. (go ahead, you can use that one)
Current staffers Rick Loxton and Jeremy Amendola, two
Current staffers Rick Loxton and Jeremy Amendola, two
invaluable cogs in the Rat Rod machine, are also taking on new roles.
invaluable cogs in the Rat Rod machine, are also taking on new roles.
Rick will become Managing Editor and Jeremy will become Associate
Rick will become Managing Editor and Jeremy will become Associate
Editor to form a proper editorial team. Craig Lankki will continue to
Editor to form a proper editorial team. Craig Lankki will continue to
run the company as he has done for the past year as our President of
run the company as he has done for the past year as our President of
Operations, and I will assume the role of Creative Director. See – not
Operations, and I will assume the role of Creative Director. See – not
so bad, right? It’s like musical chairs, magazine style.
so bad, right? It’s like musical chairs, magazine style.
When we started the magazine back in 2010 we did it for one
When we started the magazine back in 2010 we did it for one
reason and one reason only: to give rat rodders a place of their own
reason and one reason only: to give rat rodders a place of their own
out in the mainstream world. We wanted to show
out in the mainstream world. We wanted to show
off all the cool, blue-collar creations that other
off all the cool, blue-collar creations that other
magazines – and the mainstream media itself
magazines – and the mainstream media itself
– wouldn’t touch. We never even dreamed
– wouldn’t touch. We never even dreamed
the magazine or the rat rod scene would
the magazine or the rat rod scene would
become what it is today. This is a testament
become what it is today. This is a testament
to the power of community, the power of
to the power of community, the power of
blue-collar America (and beyond), and the
blue-collar America (and beyond), and the
undisputable relevance of rat rods.
undisputable relevance of rat rods.
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