In 30 years working in the newspaper business — 20 of them at The Record — Barry Lewis has evolved with his profession.

"It's been a great run," said Lewis, outgoing executive editor in his now-empty office at the Times Herald-Record, as he sorted through old newspapers.

Early in his career, he used a typewriter and got paid 10 cents per line of copy. Nowadays, Lewis does not shy away from using new-age tools. He embraces them.

To report on a recent editorial board meeting with Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, the staff used every tool available. His face lit up when describing the full-on approach he brought to that meeting, and brings to other important stories.

"We're videotaping it, we're Facebook-Liveing it, we've got the whole thing online," he said. "I couldn't even imagine to do these things back then."

On his second-to-last day of work, Lewis welcomed Spectrum News —  technically a competitor —  into his newsroom, to reflect on his career and look forward to his next one.

The newsroom is running out of wall space to display the awards earned by Lewis and his staff. Most recently, Lewis was named 2018's Columnist of the Year by the New York News Publishers Association.

He uses elements of humor and gonzo. He once wrote about his experience dressed up as a shopping mall Easter Bunny —  big bulky outfit and all.

"I can't think of a job I'd ever want more than to be the executive editor of my hometown paper," Lewis said.

So why is he leaving?

"They have a bottom line," he said of The Record's owner, Gatehouse Media. "They have a board and stockholders, they have things they need to be aware of."

In the last month, Gatehouse has laid off hundreds of journalists. Gatehouse CEO Mike Reed told the Poynter Institute in May the reason for the cuts was "restructuring."

Some editors who were not laid off, said on social media they were struggling.

"Today, Gatehouse Media laid off Worcester Magazine’s editor and arts editor," tweeted Gatehouse employee Bill Shaner. "I am the only editorial staffer left, with a full paper to put out next week. Pray for me."

The pressure is similar here at The Record, where the reporting staff had already dwindled to half of what it was when Lewis started here in 1999.

"We're going to miss him terribly," said Beth Kalet, a digital editor who is going to take over some of Lewis' responsibilities.

The Record also laid off two other employees in recent weeks, leaving several gaps to fill.

"Well, we like to think they're still going to get great coverage," Kalet said, "that we're on top of their news, that we're responsive to their needs."

Lewis does not seem bitter, and spoke respectfully of his soon-to-be former employer. The closest he has come to protest was writing in his most recent column "the suits and I see things a bit differently."

While he is leaving, he forcefully said many times during our interview that community news will live on.

"There's certainly always a need for watchdog journalism to hold those we put into office accountable," he said. "That doesn't get old."

Lewis' last day at The Record was Thursday.