The start of a new adventure: It's a good year (get it?)

A couple of months ago, I told you my time at Vitamix had come to an end and I was seeking a new opportunity.

Consider the new opportunity found.

On July 12, I will join the team at Goodyear as Communications Manager, Global Technology. It's a chance to tell the company's story beyond its legacy rubber tires, specifically the work Goodyear is doing to shape the future of mobility.

I'll get to communicate both internally to Goodyear associates and externally to a variety of stakeholder audiences. It's the best of both worlds, and I couldn't be more excited about it.

The team I'm joining is brimming with talent and experience, so there's the added blessing of upping my own game and learning from some truly accomplished corporate communications pros.

And speaking of blessings, I couldn't have expected to find such a great position so relatively early in the job search process. By the time I walk into the corporate offices in Akron for the first time, it will only have been 2 1/2 months since my last day at Vitamix.

I received a lot of support and encouragement over these last several weeks, and it came from a list of people too numerous to mention here individually. Suffice it to say I'm indebted to all of them.

The only question now is whether I'll have space in my new office to house my collection of 20 or so sports bobbleheads. They're a great conversation starter when you're the new guy.

Moving on to a new adventure

After an eight-year run that can only be described in the most positive terms, today is my last day as Director of Communications at Vitamix.

It was my first experience in a corporate setting, albeit a little different than most, coming as it did at a mission-driven, fourth-generation, family-owned company. I was afforded a wide range of opportunities to solve big problems, help set organizational direction, and work closely with the highest levels of leadership.

I sharpened skills I already had and developed a host of new ones, all while earning a master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications for which I'll always be grateful.

On a personal level, though, the impact was even greater. If I started to name all of the Vitamix people from whose example and encouragement I benefitted, this post would take an hour to read. Suffice it to say that I took far more from these eight years than I could possibly have given to others at the company.

I'm proud of what my team and I were able to accomplish in that time. When you're a professional communicator, you seek out ways in which you can apply your craft to achieve large-scale business goals and resolve important issues. I got to do that almost every day, which simply isn't the case in many communications jobs.

A recent infusion of new leadership led to a restructuring that resulted in the elimination of my position, and to that I can only say, it happens. It obviously isn't what I hoped for, but I firmly believe the company is in excellent hands and is going to make great strides in the next few years to fulfill its purpose and mission.

And really, what do I have to complain about? I am blessed in more ways than I can count, and I have no doubt my next professional move will be an opportunity to make a similar impact on a new organization.

Vitamix will always hold a special place in my heart as the longest-running and most enjoyable position I've held over a 30-year career that has been almost nothing but enjoyable.

But now it's time to move on. I honestly can't wait to see what comes next.