This chapter closes

After more than five years as editor of Washington Technology, I am moving on to other pursuits, as yet undiscovered. For now, I am returning home to spend more time with my family -- really, no kidding. I plan to spend the summer catering to my kids and clearing my head as I contemplate my next step.Taking over as editor is Nick Wakeman, who has been senior editor and my right-hand man for most of my five years here. Wakeman has been with the magazine since 1996 and has been a driving force behind many of our successes. No one has been with the magazine longer; no one knows the government market better. I've proudly taken credit on this page for the accomplishments of Wakeman and others on my staff.As editor, I learned something new every day, often from Washington Technology readers who called with observations, suggestions and complaints. The complaints always resulted in learning, sometimes painfully so, but it was a rare occasion when they were delivered with anything but professionalism and respect.I tip my hat to the executives and project managers and technologists who build the complex computer systems and networks that make our government run. I marvel at how contractors and government work together to create plans, gather resources and stay the course until projects are finished. Sometimes, I marvel that anything gets built, given how messy government procurement can be in a democracy. But if it wasn't messy, you wouldn't need Washington Technology.Look for Nick Wakeman's photo here next issue.