Thank You — And Happy Retirement — To Here & Now's Alex Ashlock

Here & Now producer Alex Ashlock is retiring Friday, July 30, after 16 years on the show.

Ashlock has spent decades in public radio: He started at WILL in Illinois in 1983, then moved to Boston as a WBUR Morning Edition senior producer in 1998 and joined Here & Now in 2005.

Ashlock was also the show's director — one of the best in public radio — someone who never raised his voice or panicked. He spearheaded the show's partnership with the BBC World Service for years. He's a passionate runner who covered the Boston Marathon, including the heartbreak of the marathon bombing.

He specializes in all things Brexit, is a fierce advocate for international stories that often get overlooked, and is a trusted journalist for veterans and members of the military.

Ashlock connected with Paul Monti, whose son Jared was killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2006. Monti told Ashlock that he still drives Jared's beat-up truck as a way to remember and feel connected to his son.

Well, Nashville songwriter Connie Harrington was listening to the show that day and ending up writing country music star Lee Brice's chart-topping song, "I Drive Your Truck."

Ashlock still helps Monti put flags on veterans graves every year.

From all of us at Here & Now: Alex Ashlock, thank you for your years of loyal service to Here & Now, WBUR, public radio and exceptional journalism.

Follow Ashlock on Twitter here.