Newsmakers

Promotions, appointments, new hires and other personnel changes reported by Texas newspapers.

JOSH HAVARD

STACY FAISON

The Lufkin Daily News

LUFKIN – Two longtime staff members have taken on new roles at The Lufkin Daily News.

Sports editor Josh Havard has been named editor of the newspaper and news editor Stacy Faison has been promoted to managing editor.

“We’re excited about the direction of our newsroom under the leadership of two employees who have shown a true passion for our local community,” Lufkin Daily News publisher Greg Weatherbee said. “We are confident that under their direction, the community will continue to be well informed about the matters that mean the most.”

Havard has served as sports editor for more than two decades. A 1998 graduate of Hudson High School in Angelina County, he first took a position as a part-time sports reporter under sports editor Edwin Quarles. He became sports editor in 2000 when Quarles left for the teaching field.

In 23 years as sports editor Havard has won numerous awards for sports writing and sports coverage, including the Celeste Williams Sportswriter of the Year award in the 2021 Texas Managing Editors awards competition. He also won a first-place award for sports column writing from TME last year.

A Lufkin native, Faison holds communications degrees from Angelina College in Lufkin and Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. During her 23 years with he newspaper, she has worked as a copy editor, reporter and assistant news editor. She has won nine first-place awards in Texas Managing Editor competitions and Texas Associated Press Managing Editors competitions, including recognition for short features, editorial writing and headline writing.

VERONICA DAVIS

The Light and Champion

CENTER – Veronica Davis of College Station has joined The Light and Champion in Center as an advertising sales representative.

Davis brings a wealth of newspaper and digital media advertising experience acquired under the direction of Dennis Phillips, owner of the Robertson County News, who is also joining the The Light and Champion staff. Together, they bring more than 24 years of community newspaper experience.

Davis began her career in the community newspaper industry selling special sections and newspaper print advertising. She expanded her expertise into the digital media marketing realm.

“The Light and Champion welcomes the new staff additions,” said Leon Aldridge, editor and publisher of The Light and Champion. “They will be an asset to our existing team, offering not only expansion of the many services already offered, but also some new products we will be launching soon.”