MOORESVILLE — Champion Media has announced the hiring of Alan Wooten as the general manager and editor of the Bladen Journal.
“Alan has a history as a proven leader with strong journalism and management skills in both daily and weekly newspaper environments,” said Champion Media Regional Publisher Denise Ward, adding that Wooten’s “understanding of the importance of local, community news and his passion for the business” made him a valuable asset for the Bladen Journal.
”He will be the face of the organization, will establish and maintain relationships within the community, and will fulfill our role as the leading source of local news coverage within our community,” Ward stated.
A 1987 graduate of Elon University, Wooten comes to Champion from The Fayetteville Observer, where he has served as the metro editor and the business editor since 2014.
Wooten’s work, either as a freelance writer or on staff, has been published in newspapers every year since 1977 from North Carolina to Alaska, including seven of the largest 200 in the nation. He has won state and national awards for writing, media design or internet content in each of the last four decades.
An editor and publisher since 2011, he has directed or helped direct staff in winning more than 100 North Carolina Press Association awards at stops in Fayetteville, Henderson, West Jefferson and New Bern. He’s served as a judge for other state press association contests seven times.
He has served on the NCPA’s Member Services & Professional Development Committee since 2012.
In addition to his role at the Bladen Journal, he’ll also be an editor for the Anson Record, another member of the Champion family.
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163 or emailing ccarroll@bladenjournal.com.