Why mention this now?
Any time we have leadership transitions within our newsroom readers wonder if current practices ... such as our community-first mindset ... will also be changing. The answer is “no.”
As reported on front page of today’s edition, Associate Editor of News Larry Bowers is moving to the Sports Department. This is an opportunity for Larry, a 50-year veteran of the newspaper industry, to return to his roots. He launched his diverse newspaper career as a sportswriter and so it is appropriate that he returns to his first love. Like so many editors before him, Larry’s focus has always been local news. It is his legacy, one that will be honored through emulation.
Here’s how.
Succeeding Larry in this associate editor role will be another long-time newspaperman — Rick Norton, a 33-year veteran whose wealth of journalism and public relations experience includes the newspaper, non-profit and corporate sectors. Rick is a former Cleveland Daily Banner employee who worked here 12 years from 1977 to 1989 in staff writer, assistant managing editor and managing editor roles. Rick joins Gwen Swiger, also a newspaper long-timer -- and staunch Banner employee -- serving as associate editor Gwen will retain her newsroom responsibilities. The two are well familiar with one another, having previously worked as members of a past Banner newsroom team.
The news gets even better. Always targeting the “Big Picture,” the Banner will further strengthen our position as the community’s primary news outlet with additional announcements soon.
Leaders in community service don’t rest on their laurels. They seek out new and innovative ways to improve an already strong product. Our product is news and advertising, and our commitment is to community. It has been for years. It is now. It will be in the future.
Old, yet familiar faces, in new positions. It’s a recipe for success ... one that will honor past leaders whose focus also never wavered ... local news first, local news now. If that’s why you enjoy reading today’s edition of the Banner, then it is why you will like it just as much Monday, Tuesday and beyond.
It is not our promise. It is our heritage.
