Southwest Florida is a fabulous place to work as a business journalist. Before arriving here last summer, I spent more than 15 years as a newspaper reporter in Chicago and northern Illinois, where the economy, largely driven by manufacturing, could take some cruel twists. Factory closings and layoffs often overshadowed the positive business news. Consecutive days of sour headlines can be demoralizing, even to jaded media people. Here, however, the business and economic outlook is as sunny as the weather.

The region abounds with sharp-minded executives and entrepreneurs who continue to build up the economy as they tap into the continual influx of new residents -- and their dollars. That translates into a wealth of business and economic success stories that the community prizes -- and that's fun to report about. Sure, not everything is sugar-coated; the region is experiencing growing pains brought on by all the development. Traffic snarls, soaring impact fees and overburdened schools are among those woes. And then there's the corruption and fraud that continue to surface as the stakes rise. In my new role Gulfshore Business editor, I'm eager to continue our solid coverage of Southwest Florida business, weighing both the ups and downs and how they affect the business community.

Aside from my arrival, there are two other changes in store for readers this issue.

First, we welcome veteran editor, reporter and commentator Rod Thomson. Rod will focus on local government and its relationship to regional business. When the two sectors cross paths, good and bad things can happen. Rod will analyze those issues and lets readers know how they will be impacted. Rod brings with him 20 years experience at daily newspapers in Minnesota, Iowa and Florida. He's also been published in the New York Times, People magazine, Florida Trend, National Review Online and Focus on the Family. Rod worked eight years at Sarasota Herald-Tribune until January 2000, when he left the paper to help run a ministry in Haiti. Now he's back in the area and writing for us each month.

Secondly, the magazine is launching an expanded "Hot Property" department. The content will explore trends, news and other issues related to commercial real estate, which is major component of our economy. We still will feature new, standout project.

I look forward to building upon the fine work of my predecessor, Lori Johnston, who boosted the publication's quality, and stature in the business community, to new heights.