The Inter-Mountain
ELKINS — Brad Johnson has been introduced as the new executive editor of The Inter-Mountain, and will begin his duties today.
Johnson is taking over for Matthew Burdette, who served as executive editor since 2012. Burdette is leaving The Inter-Mountain for the editor’s position at The Telegraph in Nashua, New Hampshire, also owned by the paper’s parent company, Ogden Newspapers.
Johnson, a native of Elkins, has served as the managing editor for The Inter-Mountain for the past five years.
“I have always taken immense pride in working for The Inter-Mountain, which I read religiously growing up,” Johnson said. “It is a dream come true for me to be named The Inter-Mountain’s editor.”
Johnson previously served as The Inter-Mountain’s assistant editor from 2002-2004, and as the editor of The South Hill Enterprise in Virginia from 2004-2009. He also has worked as a copy desk supervisor and reporter for The Beckley Register-Herald.
“The Inter-Mountain is fortunate to have had many talented people on our staff,”said Inter-Mountain Publisher Steve Herron. “It didn’t take long to realize the most qualified person to assume the duties of our new executive editor was currently living in Elkins and working in our newsroom. I am very pleased Brad Johnson, a native of Elkins, has been promoted to executive editor of The Inter-Mountain.
“Brad is a very talented journalist. He has won many awards throughout his career and he has a strong work ethic,” Herron said. “Elkins has had many really good editors over the years, and Brad has had the opportunity to work and learn from the best of them. I know Brad’s plan is to increase as much local content as possible, so don’t be surprised if he reaches out to many of you in the near future.”
Johnson has won more than 35 awards from the West Virginia and Virginia Press Associations, including two consecutive first-place Best Written News Story awards from the West Virginia Press Association, and three consecutive Column/Editorial Writing awards from the Virginia Press Association.
“Elkins is my hometown, and I consider it an honor to serve the community,”Johnson said. “This is a wonderful area, rich with history and local character, and I believe the stories of local residents deserve to be told.
“We want to continue the great tradition of journalism at The Inter-Mountain that dates back 125 years, while also increasing our local coverage and strengthening our connection to our readers,” Johnson added. “The Inter-Mountain plays a vital role in providing information to our local communities, and I am dedicated to living up to that responsibility.”
He was a member of the South Hill Rotary Club and the South Hill Revitalization Committee; and was sole winner of the 2005 Relay For Life Award of Excellence for Media Support in the Richmond, Virginia District.
Johnson resides in Elkins with his wife Jennifer, who is the coordinator of Youth Health Service’s Home Ties Strengthening Families Center. He is the son of Deloris Johnson of Elkins and the late Clifford Johnson.
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