Newsmakers

New hires, promotions and other staff changes at Texas newspapers.

MARIA DOUGLAS REEVE

Houston Chronicle

HOUSTON – Maria Douglas Reeve, executive editor of the Houston Chronicle, has been named vice president-editor for content initiatives for Hearst Texas.

In the newly created position, Reeve will work to develop topics and content aimed at expanding and deepening Hearst Newspapers’ footprint in Texas. New York-based Hearst publishes the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, Beaumont Enterprise, Conroe Courier and other newspapers in the state. The newsrooms have collaborated before, with the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News last month launching a statewide meteorological team.

“The goal is to look at how we can expand our reach, both topically and regionally — to capitalize on the resources we have to find new audiences and solidify our relationship with our current audience,” Reeve said. “I think we have a unique opportunity here to really examine how we make the most of our newsrooms in trying to serve the people of Texas.”

Reeve joined the Chronicle as managing editor in 2019 and has served as executive editor since 2021. During her tenure, she has led the Houston newsroom through the COVID-19 pandemic as well as award-winning coverage of the deadly 2021 Astroworld Festival in Houston and the May 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. In April, the Chronicle was named “Newsroom of the Year” for 2022 by the Texas Managing Editors.

Originally from Charleston, S.C., Reeve is an alumna of Davidson College and the University of Maryland, where last year she was inducted into the Philip Merrill College of Journalism’s Hall of Fame.

The Chronicle will begin a nationwide search for Reeve’s replacement. In the meantime, Managing Editor Chris Fusco will serve as interim editor-in-chief.

CLAYTON KELLEY

Yoakum Herald-Times

Clayton Kelley has joined the Lavaca County news team as a reporter for the Yoakum Herald-Times and the Shiner Gazette.

A 2021 graduate of Texas State University in San Marcos with a bachelor of science in mass communications with a focus on media, he studied television news and broadcast as well as print journalism. On the San Marcos local radio station KTSW 89.9, he served as a reporter, local music journalist and deejay. He also reported for the University Star student newspaper at Texas State.

Following graduation, he freelanced for both the Gonzales Inquirer and the Hill Country News in north Austin. He is also editor and host of “The Deep Focus Show, a YouTube podcast that ranks and rates films.

Managing Editor Bobby Horecka announced the Kelley’s addition to the staff. “We’re quite pleased to bring Clayton on board for his first official full-time news position,” he said.

LEE SCHEIDE

Seminole Sentinel

SEMINOLE – Veteran sportswriter Lee Scheide has joined the staff of the Seminole Sentinel as sports editor, managing coverage of Andrews, Seminole, Seagraves, Meadow, Loop and Wellman.

In a column, Scheide noted he is familiar with many of the schools in the area, having spent 19 years with the Odessa American. He added his goal is to create relationships with coaches that build trust and help provide the best coverage possible of each team at the school, not just mainstream stick-and-ball programs.

“There are hundred of athletes donning school colors from August through May every year and every one has a story to tell at some point...perhaps more than one,” he wrote.