Staff Report

Douglas R. Grant has been named managing editor of the Suffolk News-Herald, according to an announcement by publisher Andy Prutsok

Grant,

53, is a

veteran of community journalism, having worked as a reporter and editor for newspapers in Emporia, Orange, Culpeper and Eden and Reidsvllle, N.C. Most recently, he worked as managing editor of the Jackson County Floridan in Marianna, Fla.

He will begin his duties with the News-Herald on Monday, Oct. 3.

I’m excited about getting Doug on board,&uot; said Prutsok. &uot;We’re preparing some major design and content changes and we’re fortunate to have someone of Doug’s talent and experience overseeing it.

&uot;Doug shares our philosophy of what a community newspaper should be and our vision of what a great paper the News-Herald can become.&uot;

Grant said he is looking forward to meeting people in Suffolk and talking to them about what they need in their paper.

&uot;I believe more than anything that community newspapers touch the hearts, minds and souls of the readers,&uot; Grant said. &uot;The best way to make them successful is to listen to the readers, find out what they want, and then adapt as much of that as you can into your publication.

&uot;Without the readers no newspaper can survive, but much more so with the community publications.&uot;

From 1995 to 2000, Grant worked for both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in Washington, D.C., where he prepared reports for Congress and the White House on agency activities.

A West Virginia native, he’s a graduate of West Virginia State College and an Air Force veteran.

In Marianna, he was active with the Kiwanis Club, Elks Lodge and the local animal shelter. He is looking forward to being active in the Suffolk community.

Grant and his wife Martha are shopping for a home in Suffolk.