Mei-Mei Chan: Thank you, Southwest Florida

Forty-eight years ago, I crossed the world as a precocious 7-year-old from China to "Gum San," the Golden Mountain of opportunity called America.

Thirty-four years ago, I began my journey in the news media business, which took me across the country from The Commercial-News in Danville, Ill.; to USA TODAY and (now defunct) USA Weekend in Washington; the Chicago Sun-Times; the Post-Register in Idaho Falls, Idaho; and the Seattle Times.

Five years ago, I arrived in paradise, in the most gratifying role of my career, as president and publisher of The News-Press Media Group.

June 12 will be another milestone: I've decided to take early retirement and that will be my last day.

Many of you know my father passed away in November, having struggled for years with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. He and my mom moved with us from Seattle in 2010 and we lived together in one home that was filled with love and laughter, as well as tears and pain.

Dad's death, while long awaited, took a deeper toll than I could have imagined. Mom, 79, is coming around but still has teary episodes nearly daily. What has surprised me is how I've been depleted.

As life-changing events tend to do, it cast a different perspective on life and how we live each day.

Many of you also know my husband Randy is "way" older than I am, having just turned 68 compared to my 55. While he is stubbornly active and vibrant, he's had some health issues that have given us pause.

For these reasons, I have decided to give up one of the best jobs in America, and focus on family and a new lifestyle.

It was not an easy decision by any means.

The people and passions of Southwest Florida are extraordinary. From water to wildlife, education to workforce, feeding the hungry to early childhood, history to innovation, this community aspires to be a beacon of excellence and hope.

And The News-Press is an indispensable partner in that journey (130 years without missing a day!). Making a difference has always been my driving purpose, and the ability to do that with a team of remarkable professionals has been a joy and privilege. It is a noble calling and a heady responsibility to connect, reflect, challenge and lead as Southwest Florida's hometown source.

I retire knowing that I leave The News-Press in strong, dedicated hands.

In my role, I've had the chance to connect with so many of you over the past five years, and you have astounded and inspired me with your selfless generosity and dedication.

I hope, in turn, that I have touched you.

I came into the business because I liked to write and had an empathetic connection with people. And you know what? That's still the heart of the newspaper: distinctive storytelling — now across every device all day long.

That attracts audiences to whom we connect advertisers, the other half of what The News-Press does so well. For years, I've summarized our business model this way: helping clients grow their business is how we will continue to enable quality independent journalism.

Gannett, our parent company, is at the forefront of media transformation, and it will be fascinating to see what the future holds as our digital expertise soars exponentially.

There are so many memories over a career: starting as a cub reporter in Danville and meeting my future husband, the assistant managing editor; interviewing the likes of a young Bill Gates and a vibrant Malcolm Forbes for USA TODAY; overseeing coverage of elections, weekend homicide roundups and the horrific discovery of cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer while in Chicago; taking the helm of a newsroom in Idaho, where the battle over water by environmentalists, farmers, native tribes and politicians echoes ours; switching to the "dark side" as head of circulation, advertising and consumer marketing in Seattle, managing through one of the last newspaper strikes and a Justice Department investigation, and planning for Y2K and after 9/11.

From my first major editing job at the Chicago Sun-Times 25 years ago to the team and community circle I leave here, what I'm proudest of is the people.

Images come to mind of helping a reporter think differently about covering a story, guiding a manager to see clearly their strengths and development areas, mentoring young leaders on branding themselves.

My leadership principle has been to establish an environment that unleashes the best. Often, I could have done it better, I know. I knew it the moment it happened. I'm learning, still learning.

I will always be a learner. And I'll always want to make a difference.

So you might imagine, my list of projects is long as I embark on a new journey.

I want to write (literary agents, are you reading this?), starting with novels based on my family and Randy's family, and a guide to help leaders develop and brand themselves. I want to get rid of my tennis demons and be able to play without panicking. I want to learn tai chi. Randy and I will dust off our bridge game.

And we want to travel while we have our youthful energy. I need to get Mom to Italy and Israel, the two countries she longs to see; we need to explore Florida, go back to the family village in southern China, visit St. Petersburg, New Zealand, South Africa, and so much more.

But we will keep our home here, in this special paradise.

To my fellow journalists, marketing experts, sales executives, visionary leaders, community advocates, creative innovators, I wish for you sunny journeys filled with untold possibilities to make a difference, every day.

Thank you, to all who paved the way, and to those who guided and challenged and delighted and ran beside me on my journey.

Thank you, Southwest Florida.