In almost all of the work I do, my name isn’t visible.
But my electronic fingerprints are everywhere.
Besides being a long-time editor at USA TODAY, I’ve been the one who transforms breaking-news blog entries from harried Gannett reporters into stories with a succinct lead, valuable context and coherent ending for a national audience.
I glean trends from what — at first glance — look like unrelated events across the country and combine them into one piece.
I explain how a seemingly local story fits into the national picture and why everyone should care.
I’m the modern-day, digital version of “Get me rewrite” from The Front Page. But because of a shortage of hands-on editing at the local level, I also have my hands in reporting to fill gaps I see in stories.
The reason you rarely see my name? I give myself a byline or creditline only when I make a phone call to gather additional information.
