Ann Morris leaving
Ann Morris, who has been managing editor here since 2003, is leaving us.
It pains me just to write that sentence.
Right now, she's going to enjoy spending the summer with her two daughters and doing volunteer work. Eventually, she plans to rejoin the official workforce, perhaps in a community service role.
It's a tough loss for us because Ann has been deeply involved in all the important moves we've made over the past five years, including redesigning the paper, revamping Sunday, creating more digital elements, and conceiving and editing much of the compelling journalism we've produced. She has also recruited some of the best young journalists around. Her decisions made the paper better every day.
It's a tough loss for me personally because she has been a valued counselor and mentor to me. I admire her for making the decision she did; I know how much she loves journalism. After all, she has spent most of her career as a journalist, including 12 years here as a reporter, editorial writer and editor.
But I also know how challenging it is to raise two pre-teen daughters. Ann is working on the right things.
I've always thought that the managing editor's job is a meat grinder. Responsible for the daily operations of the paper, daily operations that span from 8 a.m. to past midnight seven days a week without break. Pressure from people like me on items big and small. Pressure from reporters and other editors on everything else. While all the time listening to and responding to readers.
She handled it all seamlessly.
As for her future, she will make a huge contribution wherever she lands. Any organization would be lucky to have her. And I'm crossing my fingers she'll come back here.
Comments (2)
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I am so sorry to hear this. Ann was the HR Director when I was hired here and she interviewed me. She made me feel relaxed and comfortable at that time, and helped me out many times with difficult personnel situations during the years she was in HR. I have missed the regular contact with her since she moved to the Managing Editor position, and I wish her the very best as she takes some well-deserved time off and plans her next move.
Posted on April 17, 2008 7:12 PM
Ann will be missed both personally and professionally. Too often the managing editor's job is a thankless one. That is certainly the case at the News & Record. Yet every day Ann brought healthy doses of class and optimism to her job. Thankfully, it spilled over into the newsroom. I know that she will flourish in whatever endeavor she pursues. The good ones always do. I know this decision must have been a difficult one because I know what newspapers mean to you. Thanks for putting your heart and soul into the paper, Ann. I appreciate it beyond words.
Posted on April 17, 2008 10:09 PM