BUSINESS

Romando Dixson named Journal Star executive editor

Staff Writer
Journal Star
Romando Dixson

Longtime journalist Romando Dixson will take over as the executive editor of the Journal Star next month, USA Today Network news leaders announced Thursday.

Dixson will become the first African American to serve as top editor of the Journal Star. Dixson joined Gannett nearly 17 years ago and has covered an array of topics and communities during his career. He will oversee a team of journalists dedicated to delivering news that readers care about in Illinois.

“I’m excited to learn about the Peoria community and share meaningful stories that help move the community forward,” Dixson said.

In his new role, Dixson will also work with editors in the Western and Southern part of the state, including Galesburg and Olney, Illinois.

“Romando is a transformational leader with a strong track record of helping newsrooms be more urgent, relevant and thoughtful in their storytelling,” said Katrice Hardy, USA Today’s Midwest regional editor and executive editor of the IndyStar. “He also has the perfect experiences to help us continue our efforts in the Midwest to produce precedent-setting journalism especially throughout the state of Illinois.”

In addition to his recent editing roles, Dixson served as a Table Stakes Coach for Gannett and participated in the company’s Emerging Leaders program.

“I’m so excited to work with him in this new role,” Hardy said.

A Michigan native, Dixson comes to Illinois after working at the Clarion Ledger, a Gannett publication where he served as the sports editor for the past year for the largest newspaper in Mississippi. Dixson previously worked in South Carolina as an editor, breaking news reporter and digital producer. As an editor, Dixson has directed coverage of topics ranging from breaking news and public safety to higher learning and religion.

Dixson, a 2003 graduate of Michigan State University, plans to start his new role July 20.

Clarion Ledger editor Mary Irby-Jones said Dixson’s love of the craft and his leadership were immediately apparent when he joined the newspaper last summer.

“His news judgment and breaking news experience positively influenced our newsroom far beyond the exceptional sports coverage we enjoyed during his tenure,” Irby-Jones said.

Among his biggest accomplishments, he led coverage as Mississippi State and Ole Miss searched for new football coaches and hired two of the biggest names in the sport, Irby-Jones said.

“Romando knows how crucial it is for the newspaper to own important coverage in the community. I have no doubt that he will excel in this next role,” Irby-Jones said. “While I am sad that the newsroom is losing a leader, I am excited for the work he will do in Illinois.”