After much deliberation, we have a new head honcho in the newsroom. John Gleeson assumes the role of editor on May 19. And while he has big shoes to fill, literally and figuratively, we know he’s more than up for the challenge.
Those of you who are regular readers of Coast Reporter will know Gleeson for his stellar writing and attention to detail. He’s been a reporter with the paper since September 2012, and in that time he’s dealt with some major issues in his former beats — Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast Regional District. During his almost three years, Gleeson has gained a reputation for accuracy and fairness — no easy feat for someone who is always on a strict deadline.
This year Gleeson had an article he wrote last winter chosen as best news story in Canada, a true testament to his talent.
Gleeson is an old-school journalist. He’s been in the business for almost 30 years and his experience spans the newspaper industry. He started out in the biz with the White Rock Surrey Sun. And along with many Coast print people, he did stints at The Press in Sechelt and Coast News in Gibsons. From there he branched out to Barrhead in Alberta where he got his first crack at the editor’s position.
Over the years he’s worked in daily and community newspapers, including 10 years at the Winnipeg Sun where he worked his way up from city editor to comment editor.
All told Gleeson has about 25 years under his belt as editor, including managing editor of the largest chain of community weeklies in Manitoba. As a Sun Media columnist, his work appeared in the Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton Suns as well as the London Free Press. So to say he’s well versed in the job is an obvious understatement.
What brought Gleeson back to the Coast? Like many of us, he has family ties to our bit of paradise. And when his dad needed some help a few years ago, Gleeson decided it was time to come home. A reporter’s job opened up at our paper shortly after, and the rest is serendipity.
Like many scribes, Gleeson also tried his hand at fiction. In October 2008 he had a mystery novel published, Coast Growers (begs the question, growing what?). The novel got good reviews from several Ontario papers including the Globe and Mail.
Gleeson is an all-round good fit to our newspaper. Join us in welcoming him to the editor’s chair.
