Colorado native eyes extra solution-based, enterprise journalism
New Deputy Editor for The Durango Herald Matt Hollinshead. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
The Durango Herald not too long ago welcomed its new deputy editor, who seems to be to emphasise extra solution-based and enterprise journalism.
Matt Hollinshead, who grew up in Centennial, began his duties on July 28 after spending the final yr as assistant editor of the Beaumont Enterprise in Beaumont, Texas. Earlier than his tenure within the Lone Star State, he spent practically a decade working for publications in New Mexico and Arizona. His experience contains enterprise and sports activities reporting.
Hollinshead graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2013, the place he earned a Bachelor of Arts diploma in convergent journalism, and individualized diploma program encompassing a number of areas of the sphere.
He stated his management and administration fashion was partially formed by certainly one of his mentors, John Moses, Govt Editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Occasions and former editor of the Farmington Day by day Occasions.
“There comes a time limit the place it’s important to know when to provide your journalist the inexperienced gentle to allow them to do their factor and instill that confidence,” he stated.
Hollinshead’s different key mentors who influenced him embrace Beaumont Enterprise Editor Kaitlin Bain, in addition to former El Paso Occasions employees member and Carlsbad Present-Argus Editor Aaron Bracamontes.
Hollinshead prides himself on being a collaborative chief who enjoys serving to younger reporters develop constantly and steadily. He labored as a sports activities reporter and editor till the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. At the moment, he was working on the Farmington Day by day Occasions and determined to transition into enterprise reporting.
“I spotted in a short time simply how impactful enterprise reporting in and of itself is, simply figuring out there may be that sturdy constant curiosity,” he stated.
Areas the place he wish to develop the Herald’s protection embrace training, particularly enterprise work on that beat, and financial growth. He stated he wish to cowl Durango’s economic system in a broader sense and pursue tales discussing matters like firms and initiatives that may assist spark future financial progress.
Hollinshead additionally seems to be to deliver a extra solution-based method in terms of beats akin to public security. Examples of such tales embrace notable traits like a rising variety of sure arrests, whether or not drunken driving or property crimes, he stated.
The deputy editor place appealed to Hollinshead as a result of it allowed him to return dwelling to Colorado whereas persevering with to garner management expertise. He stated Durango’s scenic views and out of doors tradition made him interested by dwelling within the metropolis, including he enjoys off-roading at Purgatory Resort and Vallecito Reservoir.
Familiarity with Fort Lewis School, which competes within the Rocky Mountain Athletic Convention along with his alma mater, MSU Denver, additionally drew Hollinshead to Durango.
“We started contemplating Matt after Deputy Editor Shane Benjamin determined to return to his former reporting beat on the Herald,” stated Herald Senior Editor Trent Stephens. “Matt impressed us along with his curiosity and expertise within the 4 Corners and with the joy he confirmed on the prospect of working with the Herald’s crew of reporters. He’s wanting to get to work, and we’re glad that he is right here.”
