LEADERSHIP

I’ve emerged as a leader in four workplaces, but nowhere more than at the Omaha World-Herald. As News & Presentation Editor, I managed a staff of more than 30 journalists; at the time it was the largest team in the news division. We enjoyed great success. Our group of designers and artists, which at peak staffing levels numbered 13, accumulated more than 250 Society for News Design Awards of Excellence. In doing so, we ranked among the top 10 in U.S award winners in multiple years and once cracked the world top 10. Our copy editing team, once as large as 17, also thrived. For five consecutive years an OWH journalist claimed first place in the annual American Copy Editors Society headline writing competition. On one occasion, World-Herald headline writers swept the top three places in the national event.

In addition, I’ve taken great pride in teaching and developing future leaders; journalists I’ve hired or managed have moved on to enjoy lucrative careers at National Geographic, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Golf Magazine and FiveThirtyEight, among others. While many of my leadership traits come naturally, I’ve also completed several training courses.