There’s a phrase often used in times of crisis: “Look for the helpers.”

The phrase originates with Mr. Rogers, who wanted us to find hope in the goodness of people who rise to the occasion to lend a hand.

While assuming the mantle of editor-in-chief of APC magazine is hardly a crisis, I have most definitely benefited from all the helpers who have generously come to my aid.

First and foremost, I want to thank Emily Howard. She is the brilliant editor who shepherded this publication for over a decade and brought it to the heights that I’m now inheriting.

After years of service, Emily is pursuing a passion project that dates back to her grandfather, which is why I was brought in to try to fill her very big shoes.

She could have walked away and not looked back, but instead she stuck around to help onboard me and be my mentor as I was learning the ropes. I cannot thank her enough for her generosity and hope she will continue to contribute to the magazine, as well as being my friend.

She was a helper.

I was lucky enough to attend PCA EXPO just a few weeks after I was hired. There I found an entire community of friendly faces who were eager to share their knowledge.

Going above and beyond were John MacFarland and Brad Ellison. They participated in a roundtable discussion on the topic of W-2 employees and sub-contractors and agreed to write columns sharing their divergent points of view. Their columns were published in last month’s issue – my first as editor-in-chief –  and stand as the smartest, most cohesive analysis of the topic I have read to date.

They were helpers.

During the EXPO, I also got a chance to hear the brave and moving speech from Nick Slavik. Nick talked about a time when he was enduring a rough patch in his personal and professional life. He was really at rock bottom.

Then the story took a turn. He talked about all the painters who rushed to his aid to offer support, lift him up, and get him back on track.

He was talking about the helpers.

What I came to learn is that the painting community is extraordinarily compassionate and generous. We see that manifested in the mission of PCA, and we see it each month in APC magazine.

I am humbled by what I have seen from this industry and community. Thank you all for your help and your support. I hope to prove myself worthy in the coming months as I tell your stories and pay it forward.

Kevin Hoffman

Editor-in-Chief

khoffman@pcapainted.org