The longtime managing editor of The Berkshire Eagle has been tapped to oversee newspapers across Western Massachusetts and beyond.
Kevin Moran is looking back at his first job in journalism with fond memories after Thursday’s announcement. New England Newspapers Inc. named Moran, the current managing editor of The Berkshire Eagle, Regional Vice President of News.
“Those first two weeks for me being a cub reporter at a small daily were nerve racking ones," Moran said. "But, by the third week, everything clicked for me and I suddenly realized that journalism was the career for me. I love the responsibility that journalism can have.”
The 20-year veteran of the newspaper business will be the strategic leader for digital and print news content throughout the region. Moran will continue to work with The Eagle along with five other newspapers in the Berkshires and Southern Vermont.
“I care very much about this area," he said. "I think that’s plainly evident to anyone who knows me. I do know the area really well, and I know what issues confront Brattleboro, Bennington, North Adams, the Berkshires, and Manchester. It’s something I take very seriously.”
Before coming to The Eagle, the 42-year old Moran served as managing editor of both the North Adams Transcript and Brattleboro Reformer, two newspapers he will reconnect with in his new position. He also was the news editor for The York Dispatch in Pennsylvania. Moran started his professional journalism career in 1993 as a news reporter for the North Adams Transcript and served as president of the New England Associated Press News Executives Association. Throughout his career he has been able to maintain his deep connection with the Berkshires.
“My biased opinion, I feel are absolute gems of the world," he said. "To me it is true New England and I consider myself very fortunate to have made a career here.”
Eagle education reporter Jenn Smith joined the paper around the same time as Moran in 2005. She says she looks forward to continuing to see Moran in the newsroom even as he takes on the new position.
“I don’t think anyone is surprised that Kevin made the best candidate," Smith said. "He’s remarkably talented and driven. He’s a real motivator on our staff and I’m sure he’ll be able to really engage all of our other New England Newspaper staff members.”
A native of Adams and current resident of Pittsfield, Moran graduated from Hoosac Valley High School in 1989 and from the University of New Hampshire in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in English. Maron’s new position took effect immediately. He is now doing double-duty while still serving as The Eagle’s managing editor. He says the paper is casting a wide net that includes the Berkshires in its search to fill his shoes.
“I can very much assure you, that he or she will have her hands full," said Moran.
Like other newspapers, The Eagle is contending with a societal shift that has seen newspaper readers moving to the web and print advertising revenues falling. New England Newspapers President and Publisher Kevin Corrado says the new position was created to connect regional newsrooms.
“A vision of how I want or we want the news organization across New England Newspapers to function basically as a virtual newsroom," said Corrado.