Bio: I joined The Gazette and GazetteOnline as Editor in 2008. In my first week on the job, I directed coverage of a flood that was the worst natural disaster in Iowa history. Early this year, I took the position of Information Content Conductor, playing a key role in transforming the business model of the company. I am author of the Blueprint for the Complete Community Connection, a vision for a new business model for local media companies. I have spent 38 years in journalism, starting my senior year of high school as a sports writer at The Evening Sentinel in Shenandoah, Iowa. I have been a reporter, editor and writing coach for the Des Moines Register, Kansas City Star and Times, Minot Daily News and Omaha World-Herald. I have pursued my journalism career in newsrooms, news stories and events in 42 states, eight Canadian provinces, Ecuador, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Before joining The Gazette, I spent three years with the American Press Institute, focusing mostly on teaching and research in the Newspaper Next innovation project. I remain affiliated with API, conducting the Upholding and Updating Ethical Standards seminar series.