Valley Journal announces new editor
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Lovell Beaulieu, an award-winning journalist who has worked at some of the nation’s top daily newspapers, has been named editor of the Valley Journal.
Beaulieu’s appointment is effective Monday, July 5, 2010.
A native of New Orleans, Beaulieu has worked at newspapers such as the Columbus Dispatch in Ohio, the Des Moines Register in Iowa and the Times-Picayune in New Orleans. He has been a reporter, bureau chief, editorial writer, columnist, editorial page editor and managing editor. He has also been an adjunct journalism professor, a community college newspaper adviser, a high school English and journalism teacher and a boys and girls basketball coach on the elementary and high school levels.
After a brief hiatus from newspapers, Beaulieu returned to daily journalism as editor of the North Lake Edition of the Post Tribune in Northwest Indiana, a newspaper owned by the Chicago Sun-Times. That move came six months before Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed his hometown in 2005.
Moved by the sheer destruction and the enormous amount of work to be done, Beaulieu left his position as editorial page editor of the Hattiesburg American in Mississippi and returned to New Orleans in the fall of 2006, where he was an English and journalism teacher and director of admissions at St. Augustine High School, his alma mater.
“We are thrilled to have a such an experienced journalist join us as our new editor,” said Valley Journal owner Summer Goddard. “Lovell’s strong skill set, professionalism and passion for journalism and coaching make him an excellent fit as editor. We are lucky to have him.”
Beaulieu said he’s excited about leading a talented staff of journalists.
“This is the crowning point of my career,” Beaulieu said about his position as editor of the Valley Journal. “In a newspaper climate where papers are closing, the opportunity to be at the forefront of news in such a beautiful part of the country is a unique one.”
Despite his mostly big-city experience in newspapers, Beaulieu is anxious to be a part of Lake County journalism and daily life.
“I relish the fact we are small,” Beaulieu said. “We may not be as big as others but our mission is just as big, if not bigger. Readers and advertisers depend on us. We still have great stories to tell.
“Besides, I’ve always maintained that journalism is journalism.”
