Editor ’ s
It seems surreal to be writing my last letter as editor in chief of West Virginia Executive ( WVE ) magazine . Since March 2016 , I have had the opportunity to work on 23 issues of WVE , four issues of Discover West Virginia magazine and three issues of the West Virginia Medical Journal . As one of only a handful of people to hold this position in the magazine ’ s 23-year history — which honestly speaks more to our loyal readership , the quality of the publication and people ’ s desire for its inspirational content than it does to me — I can say with complete honesty it has been an absolute privilege .
When this issue arrives in your mailbox , my husband , Caleb , and I will have officially welcomed our first child , Joanna June Cart , to the world . The decision to be a stay-athome parent was a difficult one — but not for the reasons you might think . The truth is , I just love my job . In a world that is constantly coming up with new ways to shock and terrify me — not to mention make me wonder what I was thinking bringing a child into it — I have retained the joy of coming to work every day and researching , reading and writing countless stories detailing why West Virginia is so precious to so many people . Some days I still can ’ t believe someone pays me to meet new people , bond over our favorite West Virginia location and then ask them questions about why they choose to live , work and make a difference here .
There is no tangible way to show my gratitude for this opportunity . The only thing I can think of to say is thank you .
Thank you to my boss and friend , Kensie Hamilton Fauber , for providing me with my dream job for the last five years .
Thank you to my coworkers , past and present , for making coming to work every day a blessing and not a burden . From late nights uploading and editing to road trips , receptions and retreats , I have had a blast .
Thank you to our readers . I hope you never lose your voracity for positive , uplifting stories about the Mountain State — because for every one story we print , there are 10 more we didn ’ t .
Thank you to those who have trusted me to tell their stories . I have had the opportunity to cover a wide range of topics , from West Virginia ’ s fight against the war on coal to the 2016 flood , and I ’ ve cried more than once while trying to find the right words to describe the Mountaineer spirit .
I promise to never stop advocating for and cheering on West Virginia , whether that is by continuing to work alongside the magazine ’ s staff as a writer , teaching my daughter to be proud of her West Virginia roots or inviting friends and family to visit Almost Heaven . •
Samantha Cart Editor in Chief
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE