Goodbye Intuit, Hello Sony Online Entertainment 18

One of the constants in life is always that nothing lasts forever.

Today, I announced to my staff and coworkers at Intuit that I will be leaving the company effective March 5. I am leaving for a great opportunity at Sony Online Entertainment. SOE produces some of the best massively multiplayer online (MMO) video games – titles like EverQuest, EverQuest II and DC Online Universe. They’re amazing products and now I get to talk about them.

At SOE, I will be charged with leading the global communications function. It’s an amazing opportunity and I am extremely excited about the challenge.

The EverQuest franchise is remarkable.

After you’ve been with the same company for the past nine years, it’s sort of a mixture of feelings when you decide to make a move like this. In today’s business world, nine years is a long time.

My career working on the TurboTax and Quicken Online brands has been cool. I’ve been fortunate to work with some talented people and make strong friendships that will last after my last day with the company. Just like any company, it’s really about the people. Sure the products are great and we’ve accomplished much, but it would have never happened without talented and dedicated people. Many of those people left Intuit way too soon and many will still be there after I am gone. I learned from all of them and I am a wealthier person because of it.

The accomplishments of our TurboTax PR team over the years I was a part of the team are off-the-charts. I will not detail them here or list out how much ass we kicked together, but it was significant. In fact, I am not sure even the people in the TurboTax business know just how amazing a team it has been. Luckily for them, they’re only losing me and the rest of an amazing team remains.

Last week we hosted the Social Media Business Council Member Meeting at Intuit’s palatial San Diego offices. During a tour of the facilities, Andy Sernovitz asked me: “Can we all come and work here?” It’s that impressive of a campus and TurboTax is of course an amazing brand to work for. So why would anyone leave?

It’s my core belief you must always challenge yourself and try to reach outside your comfort zone. You also need proper room to grow. As a professional, you need challenges and rewards to continue to grow. The opportunity at Sony Online Entertainment is exactly that. It’s getting me out of my comfort zone and it’s a challenge I relish. It’s a place with passionate, talented and adept people who have an amazing past and an even brighter future.

Part of the challenge is learning a new business. I have not worked in the video game or entertainment industry but I am ecstatic about it.

You are a product of your environment and the incredibly rigorous and high-performing culture at Intuit has prepared me well for the next phase of my career. Now it’s time to help another team in its journey.

So, in a few weeks I’ll say goodbye to my coworkers at Intuit. It will be a tough day but one filled with excitement as I move on.

Another tenet I live by is also at the forefront of my mind today. I’ve always believed you never look back; only forward.

The future is bright and I am excited to be moving on to my next chapter.