New Year, New Start

It is with mixed emotions that I write my last column as editor in chief of CIO. Being editor of the premiere magazine for chief information officers has been a tremendous experience. For the past 21 years, I’ve worked at one of the best publishing companies in the world (IDG) with some of the most talented people in journalism: strong leaders; smart, dedicated writers; thoughtful editors who never settle for less than the best; and amazing, creative designers. I’ve been honored to meet and serve the interests of thousands of CIOs—and anyone who has read my columns knows what a fan I am of them! I’ve had the opportunity to interview fascinating people, including Peter Drucker, Madeleine Albright and presidential candidates Wesley Clark and John McCain. I’ve worked on events with the likes of Sam Donaldson, Geoffrey Moore, Arthur Miller and Jonathan Zittrain. It’s been a great ride.

I’ve also had the creative joy of redesigning CIO from top to bottom not once but twice—first in 2000, and again this year. You’ll see the fruits of that work in the March issue, and I hope you love it!

But things change; everything eventually comes to an end. Those who follow me on Twitter (@abbielundberg) know that my father recently passed away and my mother has been ill. My priorities right now are with her, and given the challenging economic times, CIO needs an editor who can focus on its success 150 percent.

Despite having been in one place for 21 years—something that astonishes me more than anyone—I’ve always believed that change is a positive. For the readers of CIO, that change will come in the form of a new editor in chief, Maryfran Johnson. I’ve worked with Maryfran for years: first when she was editor in chief of Computerworld (a sister publication at IDG) and most recently as editorial director of CXO Media’s executive programs. Working with her has been a blast, and I couldn’t leave the magazine in better hands.

Me, I’ll be taking some time off to help my mother reorient her life without her husband of 58 years and to reorient my own without CIO. But as they say, this is not good-bye—just farewell for now. I’m certain I’ll still be working with CIOs in some capacity, and I hope you’ll all stay in touch.

Thank you for the trust you’ve shown the magazine over the years. We’ve tried to earn it every day, and I know that will continue. I wish you all the best.