WTOP Reporter's Looooong Goodbye

WTOP reporter Mark Segraves, who's leaving for NBC 4, has written his colleagues one of the longest goodbye notes we've seen in awhile. His subject line: "If I had more time I'd write a shorter note." Get the tissues. It's touching and heartfelt. Subject: If I had more time...I'd write a shorter note Just a quick note to say thanks and goodbye. I walked into WTOP more than 8 years ago and immediately felt like I was home. The support, guidance and encouragement I received from everyone here can't be quantified nor under appreciated. Without it I would have been lost. It's hard to imagine a better place to be a journalist than right here at WTOP. WTOP has been a lifeline for our community through good times and bad, a lifeline they have come to depend upon. We've built a news organization that rivaled the Washington Post and dominated everyone else. I am proud to have been a small part of that success and to have called all of you my colleagues. I think I've learned something from just about everyone here, whether it was your proactive tips on my work, or just by watching and listening to you work. Not a day went by that I didn't learn something about our craft and how to make myself better. That journey to make myself a better journalist moves to NBC 4 next month, but I'll take with me the spirit of WTOP and what it means to be a hard working reporter in a 24 hour news world. Any list of people to thank would be too long and inevitably incomplete. But I would be remiss if I did not mention a few. Jim Farley took a chance on me when nobody else in this town would. Jim nurtured and encouraged me, at times he humbled me. He taught me to be right, and then be first, but to try to be both. Mike McMearty is a reporter’s dream boss. He allowed me to follow my instincts and he gave me the time and resources to do it. But most importantly he taught me how to "get out of my comfort zone," a lesson that will continue to serve me well. To Neal who taught me how radio works and how to edit audio, Brennan who taught me that radio can be fun, Hank, JJ and Kate for helping me with their invaluable institutional knowledge of their beats, Judy who let me go longer than 30 seconds and helped me solve a murder (really), Mark Lewis who kept the "Ask The" shows from going off the tracks, Plotkin who is to blame for bringing me to WTOP and to each and every one of you who has put up with me...Thanks so very much. My phone number remains BLANK.I hope you will all feel free to call anytime whether you need help with a story or need a phone number or just want to say hi. It's been my true honor to work with and learn from the best.. Mark Segraves

Fishbowl

WTOP Reporter's Looooong Goodbye

Betsy Rothstein

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Betsy Rothstein