Editor selected for 'News-Times,' 'Chronicle' bureau
Vicky Eckenrode
Photo by Rob Carr
Veteran reporter Vicky Eckenrode has been named bureau chief of The Augusta Chronicle's Columbia County Bureau and news editor of The Columbia County News-Times.
The announcement was made recently by The Augusta Chronicle's executive editor, Dennis Sodomka. "Vicky is an excellent reporter and she has greatly developed her leadership skills," Sodomka said. "I know she will be a good addition to our already strong Columbia County bureau."
Eckenrode succeeds Jason Smith, who was promoted in July to editor of The McDuffie Mirror.
"I look forward to working in Columbia County and getting a chance to learn more about the community," said Eckenrode, who starts work in the bureau Monday.
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A native of Fayetteville, N.C., and graduate of the journalism school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eckenrode worked four years at the university's daily student newspaper as a writer, desk editor and managing editor.
Eckenrode joined the staff of The Augusta Chronicle three years ago, covering community events, crime, transportation and Augusta Regional Airport. She joined the newspaper's business desk in spring 2002, and covered a range of topics, including small business, personal finance and economic development.
"Vicky's strong business-writing background is a perfect complement to the existing staff at the Columbia County bureau and The News-Times," said News-Times Publisher Barry Paschal. "The county's fast growth provides a wealth of untapped potential for such a talented writer."
Along with Paschal, Eckenrode will oversee a staff that includes six reporters and a photographer. The bureau produces daily news for The Augusta Chronicle and two editions per week of The News-Times.