Farewell From Your Former Patch Editor

My friends, I'm excited to inform you that has taken over as editor of Maplewood-Brentwood Patch. He became the site's editor effective last Thursday.

I've accepted a new role with Patch. As an associate regional editor in St. Louis, I'll be working closely with editors from University City, Clayton-Richmond Heights, South County and Arnold to continue bringing great local news, events and information to the different communities. And, of course, I'll still work with Doug in Maplewood-Brentwood.

It's been about 16 months since you and I launched Maplewood-Brentwood Patch together. I've grown immensely proud of the website we created in these two communities that have been traditionally underserved by other media outlets.

Both communities immediately adopted me, even though I originally knew very little about either city. Many of you invited me into your homes, stayed after football games to talk to me for hours, and met me for food or coffee. It has meant more to me than I can possibly explain here with a few words. Thank you for that, my friends.

Now I'll be passing the torch to Doug, who recently became a Maplewood homeowner himself. Doug started with Patch as a freelance reporter and primarily covered the Maplewood Richmond Heights Blue Devils. Since then, he's accepted more and more responsibility, and is now ready (and extremely excited) to run the site himself. He's already digging into the many storylines happening in Maplewood and Brentwood. 

If you haven't met Doug yet, please don't hesitate to give him a call or email him. He's a heckuva guy and will do great work with all of you.

And please don't be shy about staying in touch with me! Find me on Facebook and Twitter, or shoot me an email at ryan.martin@patch.com.

Thanks, friends!