Washingtonian editor Garrett Graff is leaving the magazine in June after five years in the top job, according a staff memo obtained by The Huffington Post.
Publisher Catherine Merrill Williams informed staff Wednesday about the news, writing that many thought Graff "was too young to take on the challenge" when promoted in 2009 "and that I was crazy for taking such a risk."
"Garrett's first-class intellect and leadership abilities quickly proved the critics wrong," she continued. "Garrett has made a huge and positive impact on our business, our people and on all of our products."
Washingtonian's Sherri Dalphonse and Kristin Hinman will serve as co-editors on an interim basis while the magazine searches for a new editor.
Full memo below:
Team -
I am writing you with a heavy heart that Garrett and I have agreed he will be leaving Washingtonian in June after serving the past five years as our editor. When I promoted Garrett to editor in 2009 in the depths of the recession many thought he was too young to take on the challenge and that I was crazy for taking such a risk. Garrett's first-class intellect and leadership abilities quickly proved the critics wrong. Garrett has made a huge and positive impact on our business, our people and on all of our products. As only the third editor in our 49-year-old publication, he will always be part of the Washingtonian family. Most importantly, during his tenure Garrett has hired and mentored a group of extraordinary writers, editors and contributors whose talent and potential remain and who I will be leaning heavily upon in the weeks to come. As Garrett moves on to find his next challenge and unbelievable finish his third book, he will be missed.
I have begun a search for a new editor. Having very fortunately found Garrett in the office next door when I got here, I have no idea how long this search may take. In the interim, I have asked Sherri Dalphonse and Kristin Hinman to serve as acting co-editors. As you know, Sherri has been with us over 20 years and brings with her great knowledge, depth and experience. While Kristin is fairly new to the team coming to us from Bloomberg last year, she brings with her new ideas and a window into how other media companies have been navigating the changing media scene. I am comfortable we are in good hands and they will do a fine job.
Finally, I have a tremendous amount of confidence in all of you and know each of you will continue to do great work for our 300,000 print readers and our nearly one million monthly unique web readers.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.
CMW