Blackwell named managing editor of Southeast Missourian

Cape Girardeau native and Southeast Missourian Arts & Leisure editor Sam Blackwell has been named the newspaper's managing editor.

In his new role, Blackwell will work closely with the editor and oversee the journalism professionals who produce the daily Southeast Missourian. He also will serve on the newspaper's editorial board.

"Having grown up in Cape Girardeau, I understand what's important to this area and want the Southeast Missourian to reflect that," he said. "But living in other cities also gives me an outsider's perspective to add balance."

Blackwell holds degrees in English from Southeast Missouri State University and in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He joined the Southeast Missourian full-time in 1973 as a sports writer. He went on to become features editor for the Times-Standard in Eureka, Calif., before taking a break from journalism to tend bar in New Orleans.

Blackwell later became assistant features editor at the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, N.Y., features editor at the Daily Pilot in Costa Mesa, Calif., and editor of the Redwood Weekly News in Redwood City, Calif.

He returned to the Southeast Missourian in 1992 as a general assignment reporter and was promoted to Arts & Leisure editor in 1995.

In 2002, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri bestowed its first Friends of the Arts Award on Blackwell, who received the honorary title of "Champion of the Arts" from Southeast Missouri State University College of Liberal Arts this year.

Blackwell is the son of Joe and Pat Blackwell of Cape Girardeau and is married to Dr. Danna Cotner. The couple has three dogs.

Editor Joe Sullivan said he couldn't think of a better match for the position than Blackwell.

"Sam's professional knowledge and personal standards are well known in the newsroom, and he is known outside the newspaper both for his journalistic efforts and for his involvement in the community," he said.

Blackwell replaces Heidi Hall, who accepted a job as an assistant metro editor for the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune. Her Wednesday column will continue.