LCNI news 18 Pages Landmark Community Newspapers, LLC May 2017 Hamm moves to Virginian- Pilot as editorial page editor Benjy Hamm is leaving his role as LCNI editorial director to join The Virginian-Pilot as its new Editorial Page Editor. The announcement was made by Virginian-Pilot Publisher Pat Richardson. He began his new duties on May 8. In making the announcement, Richardson said, “Benjy is a veteran journalist with a versatile background and has extensive experience with community outreach and public service.” She noted that Benjy has the experience, expertise and personality to help the Pilot continue to grow the impact of its editorial JOHN NELSON pages in this exciting era. She said he embodies the values and philosophies that the Pilot holds high: integrity, ethical prac- Nelson named tices, respect, and passion for public service through quality journalism. Richardson observed that Benjy enjoys LCNI editorial vigorous debates on key public issues and will be helping them find new ways to BENJY HAMM engage the Hampton Roads community in director those topics. Co. Benjy has served as Editorial Director for Benjy grew up in Salisbury, NC, begin- John Nelson will assume Landmark LCNI since 2003. He has played a key role ning his career in journalism as a reporter at Community Newspapers, LLC’s Editorial in hiring editors, conducting training, pro- The Salisbury Post. He also has worked for Director position on May 15. John joined viding input on content decisions, and advis- The Associated Press in Columbia, SC, and LCNI as a Rover Editor in September 2016 ing about freedom of information laws as editor of The Lancaster News in Lancaster, and has helped many of our newspapers dur- involving the company’s 50 paid circulation SC, also an LCNI newspaper. ing his time here. community newspapers. Benjy has been a speaker for national con- John is replacing Benjy Hamm, who is In talking about his move to the Pilot, ferences and training programs with the moving to Norfolk, VA, and pursuing an Benjy stated, “The Pilot’s editorial pages National Newspaper Association, Society of exciting opportunity as Editorial Page Editor have a long, proud history of leading – and Professional Journalists, National Association at Landmark’s largest daily newspaper, The providing a vital forum for – discussions of of Black Journalists and various state press Virginian-Pilot. Benjy held the LCN’s important public issues. I’m excited to be associations; as well as an instructor for the Editorial Director position for over 13 joining The Pilot in this position and look New York Times Co.’s editing workshop at years. forward to getting to know the staff and the various colleges and universities around the In making the announcement, LCNI community in the coming months.” country. Executive Vice President Dan Sykes said, Prior to joining LCNI as editorial direc- For the past six years, Benjy has been a “We are excited we found John as he brings tor, Benjy worked as both city editor and judge for the annual Scripps Howard so much experience to this important posi- managing editor at The Herald-Journal in Foundation’s National Journalism Awards. tion. John is well known in the journalism Spartanburg, SC, then a New York Times He holds a bachelor’s degree in communi- community, particularly in Kentucky.” Co. newspaper. During Benjy’s time at The cations from Catawba College and a mas- From 1997 to 2015, he held editorial lead- Herald-Journal, the staff received more than ter’s degree in mass communication from ership positions at Schurz Communications 150 awards from the South Carolina Press the University of South Carolina. He received Inc., Kentucky Group (purchased by Boone Association, including a number of the top distinguished alumni awards from both in statewide awards. The staff also won eight Con nued on page 2 Con nued on page 2 Chairman Awards from the New York Times Nelson named editorial director Con nued from page 1 achievements and tireless dedication and commitment to our newspaper community. Newspapers Inc. in early 2016). Most recent- Most significantly, he was named to the ly, he managed and supervised its editors to Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame in 2013 ensure proper operating procedures, train- in recognition of his significant contribu- ing for staff and quality control. He also tions to the profession of journalism. assisted in addressing legal issues related to John and his wife, Mary Jane, live in content and newsroom personnel. Danville, Ky. They are the proud parents and Prior to his time at Schurz, John was part- grandparents of son Patrick of Danville and owner, Editor and Publisher of the Pulaski his daughter, as well as their daughter, Julie Week in Somerset, KY from 1987 to 1997. (formerly a GM/Editor of The Oldham Era), In summary, John has been active in edito- and her three children who reside in rial leadership positions for over 30 years. Somerset, Ky. He serves as a member of the Kentucky “Landmark is proud of the journalism role Press Association Legal Defense Fund, we play in our communities. John is excep- Society of Professional Journalists, Bluegrass tionally qualified to continue our commit- Pro Chapter and Eastern Progress Advisory ment to providing quality editorial work and Plays at Concert Bands Board (Eastern Kentucky University student results in the communities we serve. We are newspaper). fortunate John was available and joined our conven on He has been recognized over the years by team,” said Sykes. many organizations for his leadership On Thursday, May 4, 2017, Clayton Doak played clarinet with the 85-member Nature Coast Community Band (NCCB) at the Association of Concert Bands (ACB) Annual Hamm transfers to Virginian-Pilot Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The NCCB was one of only 9 bands from across Con nued from page 1 ing him soon in South Hampton Roads. the country that was invited to play a con- A point of interest about Benjy: His identi- recent years. cert at the convention. Clayton is single cal twin brother, Brad Hamm, is dean of the Benjy and his wife, Tanya, have three chil- copy district manager at the Citrus County Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern dren, ages 14, 18 and 20. They will be join- Chronicle in Crystal River, Fla. University. LINDA BARNETT, EDITOR news LCNI NEWS MAKERS who submitted news for LCNI February, March and April are highlighted in blue Newspaper Location Coordinator Newspaper Location Coordinator MetroWest Newspapers .......................Brighton, CO ..........................................Beth Potter Lebanon Enterprise .............................Lebanon, KY ..................................... Eva Jo Nugent Evergreen Newspapers .........................Evergreen, CO ....................................Michael Hicks The Record ...........................................Leitchfield, KY ..................................Rebecca Morris Clear Creek Courant .............................Idaho Springs, CO ...............................Michael Hicks The Cats’ Pause ....................................Lexington, KY .........................................Darrell Bird Chiefland Citizen ...................................Chiefland, FL......................................... Dale Bowen Casey County News ..............................Liberty, KY ........................................... Larry Rowell Citrus Publishing................................ Crystal River, FL ..................................Deb Kamlot Henry County Local ..............................Eminence, KY ......................... Melissa Blankenship Gator Bait .............................................Gainesville, FL .....................................Marty Cohen News-Herald .........................................Owenton, KY .......................................Molly Haines Gadsden County Times .......................Quincy, FL .............................................Cheri Harris Central Office .......................................Shelbyville, KY ....................................Linda Barnett Osceola .................................................Tallahassee, FL.................................... Bob Ferrante Sentinel-News ......................................Shelbyville, KY .........................................Jacob Blair Wakulla News ......................................Crawfordville, FL ..........................William Snowden Williston Pioneer Sun-News .................Williston, FL .............................. Carolyn Ten Broeck Pioneer News .......................................Shepherdsville, KY .................................... Tom Barr Leader-Union ........................................Vandalia, IL ............................................. Rich Bauer Standard Publishing ..............................Shepherdsville, KY .......................Margaret Mendez Inside Indiana .......................................Bloomington, IN ......................................Ed Magoni Springfield Sun .................................. Springfield, KY .................................Nick Schrager Mount Vernon Democrat .....................Mount Vernon, IN ........................................Vacamt Spencer Magnet ................................ Taylorsville, KY ...............................Lynette Mason Spencer Co. Journal-Democrat .............Rockport, IN .................................... Mark Eisenlohr Huskers Illustrated ................................Lincoln, NE ..............................................Darren Ivy Perry