photos of Michael Todd (left) and Chance Solem-Pfeifer by Molly Misek
Here’s some management advice: Surround yourself with young people who are so talented they make you feel like a hopelessly inadequate slouch by comparison. Because once you wring yourself through the sting and anxiety and fear that comes from realizing that, one day, you’ll hand over to them whatever job you happen to hold, you get to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and they’ll make you look good in the process.
Hear Nebraska’s managing editor, Michael Todd, offers this kind of comfortable insecurity. In the two years since the 24-year-old took over this organization’s editorial responsibilities (and many others), Hear Nebraska has certainly seen a tremendous amount of growth, due in large part to his energy, preparedness, dependability and class, as well as his versatile writing, editing and multimedia skills that are chiseled and sharpened far beyond his years should allow. And of course, as a musician himself, the Alliance native holds a unique understanding of Nebraska, its music community and culture.
But most importantly, he’s a kind, generous, hardworking person who cares deeply about Hear Nebraska, its volunteers and audience.
So it’s with sincere appreciation and a healthy bit of regret that I announce Michael’s departure from Hear Nebraska, as he dives headfirst into his next challenge — web development — as part of the inaugural class of the very cool Omaha Code School.
After joining HN first as an intern in the summer of 2011, Michael became the our first hire in February 2012, and his steady editorial leadership since has allowed me to shift my focus to fundraising and organizational development. On a very practical level, had I not been able to entrust the execution of Hear Nebraska’s editorial (in my opinion, its heart and soul) to someone at that point, it’s highly unlikely the organization would have matured so quickly. For instance, in the last nine months we’ve put out a vinyl record, added two new board members, undergone coordinated strategic planning, seen our fundraising grow from $23,000 in 2012 to $83,000 in 2013, and established our first annual operating budget for 2014.
And although numbers tell only part of the story of why Michael has been such as tremendous asset, I think the following statistics are important to share:
• In a little over two years, Michael personally posted about 1,500 stories.
• He helped to produce about 500 stories, including those he produced during his editorial internship in summer 2011.
• He trained 29 interns.
• HearNebraska.org has welcomed 277,000 visitors and 914,000 page views.
• Our Facebook likes increased by 130 percent, and Twitter followers grew by more than 300 percent.
Impressive, indeed. But Michael’s most important impact on HN will continue to be seen through the work of the dozens of contributors he’s influenced.
There’s no doubt, we’re going to miss having Michael at the helm via laptop every day, but rest assured — he’s handing down the mantle to a set of able hands.
Our current staff writer and assistant editor, Chance Solem-Pfeifer, assumes the managing editor role starting Monday, Feb. 17. Like Michael, Chance began working for Hear Nebraska as an intern (last summer). A native Omahan, he’s a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in English/Creative Writing, and he also happens to be a songwriter. Hopefully, you’ve seen or listened to Chance’s work by now, during our Hear Nebraska FM show he produces every Thursday at 6 p.m. with co-host Jacob Zlomke on KZUM, or perhaps during one of his absolutely stellar Sessions podcasts.
Chance will no doubt bring his own style of editorial approach and leadership, and I hope you’re as excited as I am to see where he helps lead Hear Nebraska in the future. (Send him story ideas at chancesp@hearnebraska.org.)
And don’t worry: Although Friday is Michael’s last day as HN’s managing editor, he promises to continue contributing his ever-evolving skills to the organization. Next time you see him, buy him a beer and congratulate him on a job well done.
And all you web developers better watch your backs.
Andrew Norman is Hear Nebraska’s executive director. He’s nearly a foot shorter than both of these guys, but plays a sharp-elbows, old-man style of basketball. Contact him at andrewn@hearnebraska.org.