Missourian appoints new managing editor

On Monday, the Southeast Missourian appointed former news editor and reporter Bob Miller to the new role of handling the day-to-day operations.

Miller, 31, of Jackson, leaves a position as a page designer at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to take on the role of managing editor.

Miller's 12-year journalism background includes a previous eight-year stint with the company, including a year as the news editor, where he oversaw the nightly production of the paper. As a writer covering sports, Cape Girardeau and Jackson government, Miller won numerous writing awards, mostly for in-depth series.

In March 2006, Miller was one of 60 journalists selected to attend a narrative editing seminar at Harvard University. Miller's career started as a part-time writer at the Banner-Press in Marble Hill, Mo. He also covered sports for two years at the Fulton Sun in Fulton, Mo.

While news editor at the Southeast Missourian, he collaborated with his wife Callie on a Lifestyles column called "His and Hers." Callie Clark-Miller is the managing editor of online and special publications.

"I have a soft spot for this newspaper, not just because the people around me fostered my development as a journalist, but because I know and understand the good and hard work that goes on here," Miller said.

Being able to watch his 9-year-old son, Drew, a left fielder for the Cal Ripken League Southeast Missouri district champions, play baseball doesn't hurt either, Miller said.

Miller's position will allow former managing editor Sam Blackwell to take over some new projects at the Missourian, including assisting in arts coverage.

The role is one that fits Blackwell's talents as one of the newspaper's most popular and talked-about writers, said publisher Jon Rust.

The change is one instrumental in increasing the Southeast Missourian's resources for providing local coverage, and Miller will be playing a key leadership role in meeting those goals.

"We're thrilled to have him on board," Rust said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245