Southeast Missourian names Bob Miller new editor

For the first time in 14 years, the Southeast Missourian has a new editor.

Longtime editor R. Joe Sullivan is remaining on staff as editorial-page editor and news consultant, completing a yearlong transition that includes the promotion of managing editor Bob Miller to the editor post.

Miller, an employee at the Missourian since 1997 minus a yearlong stint at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has served the Missourian as sports and news reporter, news editor and managing editor. He was also the editor of the Banner Press in Marble Hill in 1996 and 1997. He attended Southeast Missouri State University after graduating from Meadow Heights High School.

"Bob knows the community well, having served in a number of different positions at the Missourian, and has a keen eye for nurturing journalist talent," said Jon K. Rust, publisher of the newspaper. "He has also been instrumental in developing innovative ways to deliver news, which is a big part of the company's future."

Sullivan has been in the newspaper business 43 years, including 36 years as an editor. He moved to Cape Girardeau in 1994 and is well-known for his humorous and down-home column, "River City Journal." In 1996 he received first place for the column in the annual Missouri Press Foundation competition.

"Many of those who have known of the transition plan that has been in place for more than a year at the Southeast Missourian have naturally assumed I'm retiring," Sullivan said. "Not yet. I am looking forward to my duties as editorial-page editor, editorial director of Rust Communications, columnist and founder, caretaker and biggest fan of the one and only Downtown Golf Course."

"No matter how we try, we can't seem to get rid of Joe," Rust said. "When he's not writing eloquent local editorials, he's across the street on the courthouse lawn, hitting golf balls off the trees. Seriously, Joe brought vast experience to the Southeast Missourian, and his tenure as editor will be remembered as one of the brightest in its history. He will continue to play a vital role as editorial-page editor."

Miller, 32, currently writes a column with his wife Callie called "His and Hers." He also collaborates with Callie on an occasional series called "Knee Deep," in which the couple performs unusual or messy jobs. Callie is the managing editor of special publications at the newspaper.

In years past, Bob Miller was known for larger writing projects. He also covered city government in Jackson and Cape Girardeau as well as Cape Girardeau County government before moving on to the news editor role and eventually the managing editor position. Miller has been in the newspaper business 13 years.

"I've learned a lot from Joe over the years, but never more than this year," Miller said. "I certainly won't replace him. Those are some big shoes to fill. But it's an honor to be chosen for this position. This is an innovative organization that's improving daily. It's invigorating to be a part of the transformation from a traditional newspaper operation to an information delivery company.

"Even more rewarding is the opportunity to lead such a talented and hard-working news staff. I'm humbled and inspired by our talented journalists who love what they do and have fun doing it."

In the past year, the Missourian news staff has won numerous awards for its reporting and photography and has taken on investigative projects. It has also expanded its online and niche products.

Miller has two sons, Drew, 10; and Dawson, 4 months.