35 years: while the state's economy has changed, thoughtful storytelling stays the same.

• Author: Kinney, Ben
• Position: UPFRONT

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The same year this magazine was created, I was an 11-year-old kid trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that I was living in south Florida. My father had just completed his Bagehot Fellowship at Columbia University's journalism school, and I had been living with him in New York City while my mom and sister stayed home in Winston-Salem. After we returned to North Carolina, he quickly landed an editing job at The Miami Herald's Broward County bureau. In 1981, we hit the road and headed to Fort Lauderdale.

Growing up in a newspaperman's family is similar to being an Army brat in that we moved around quite a bit. I lived in Burlington, Winston-Salem, New York City, Fort Lauderdale and Charlotte before I turned 16. I attended 10 different schools in that time. Needless to say, I had to learn to adapt to change, and I became pretty good at it. I made friends in most places and found that packing up and moving was pretty much the norm. I look back fondly on my many travels and adventures; it truly helped shape me.

This magazine has been pretty dam adaptable as well. It's been through five different owners as well as numerous editors, sales reps, art directors and support staff. I don't think we'd be in the place we are today if it wasn't for my father, who moved our family to Charlotte in 1985 to enter the magazine business. During his 29 years at BNC, mostly as editor-in-chief and publisher, he set the standard on which this magazine's editorial coverage has been laid out. He was very demanding of his entire staff, but it was always for what he called the "work," which is the magazine in your hands. Working with him as BNC's account manager, general manager and finally publisher, I learned a lot about integrity, accuracy and courage.

We've weathered recessions, natural disasters and personal tragedies over the last 35 years. Through it all, we have remained consistent in our coverage of North Carolina and the people, business and trends that make up its incredible economy.

Man, has that economy changed over 35 years! Our state has seen declines in industries such as textiles, furniture and tobacco as well as boom times for banking, energy and life...