Like Elvis, Ellen is leaving the building ...

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: FROM THE EDITOR - Editorial

I exaggerate some with the headline, but I hope I have your attention. The photo was taken at FEI's Summit Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, following Elvis' performance. With such dramatic flair, this is to announce that this June 2013 issue is my final one as editor-in-chief of Financial Executive.

As of May 31, I have given up my full-time position with FEI and passed the proverbial "pen" to the new editor-in-chief, Christopher Westfall. I will continue to work on a part-time basis with the magazine until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.

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It is with mixed feelings that I turn the page to the next chapter in my life. I've been with FEI and the magazine since October 2000 and editor-in-chief since July 2008. Much has happened during this time--as I'm sure all of you can attest--and we've never, ever been at a loss for content.

In looking back at the subjects we have covered over the past nearly 13 years, it is vividly apparent that the velocity of change for the world and senior-level financial executives has not only accelerated, but has done so at a dizzying pace.

Things always change, of course, but there is something different about the nature and quality of today's changes. Just think: six or so years ago we weren't using iPhones (2007), iPads (2010) or much of the other mobile technology that we now use ubiquitously. Nor were we using the Internet for shopping or booking airline tickets so much or using mobile devices for reading e-books, buying a cappuccino or paying bills. Indeed, within the tech field, I recently read that the top 10 in-demand jobs of 2012 were jobs that were not even available in 2004. That is mind boggling.

While at FEI's Summit in Las Vegas, I also had the chance to see Tony Bennett perform. He is amazing for 86 years old and still crooning quite well. What I...