Why Brownridge Is Stepping Down at Alpha

Kent Brownridge has had enough water polo for now. Brownridge is stepping down as CEO of Alpha Media Group, the company he formed last year after buying Maxim and Blender from Felix Dennis with the backing of Quadrangle Partners. President Glenn Rosenbloom and CFO/COO Stephen Duggan will succeed him as co-CEOs.

Brownridge, who will stick around as chairman, says his reasons for handing over day-to-day control are simple: He's finished most of the heavy lifting of remaking Dennis into Alpha -- for instance, folding Stuff and hiring new editors for Maxim and Blender -- and he's ready for a change of pace.

"This has taken a lot of effort energy and everything else," he says. "It's been at least 70 hours a week, if you don't count the weekends. I have a new wife who's not liking this very much. And while my health is very good, I want it to stay that way." (He's in his late 60s and several years ago was successfully treated for cancer.)

Brownridge says he remains an investor in Alpha Media, and plans to be an "active chairman." But not too active. "I plan to get home at six instead of 10. Also, we have summer Fridays here, so I might even do that."

But the man who called his retirement in 2005 a "terrible mistake" isn't using the R-word this time around. "It doesn't work for me. I wish it did."