The Commonwealth is welcoming Dan Marsh, an Arkansas native, who started Tuesday as the new managing editor.
Marsh, 52, began working in his early 20s at a daily newspaper in his hometown of Arkadelphia and eventually became a reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock. He has worked as the managing editor at community dailies, similar in size to the Commonwealth, in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
He left the newspaper business for six years to work at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia as a university writer and communications assistant. During that time, he also earned a master’s degree from the school in public administration.
When asked why he made the switch back to newspapers and the Commonwealth specifically, Marsh said he thinks the work is important. “Newspapers are a sign of good health in communities,” he said.
“Greenwood seems to be a thriving community, and the news industry seems to be thriving. The Commonwealth provides a good opportunity for me to use my skills again,” he said.
Marsh replaces Ruthie Robison, who was recently promoted to be the editor and publisher at The Star-Herald, a weekly newspaper in Kosciusko that is a sister publication to the Commonwealth.
“I feel very fortunate to have found someone of Dan’s experience,” said Tim Kalich, editor and publisher of the Commonwealth. “He has all the skills I was looking for as a writer, a photographer and an editor.”
Kalich said he was particulary excited by Marsh’s photography interest and abilities.
“Photography historically has not been one of our strongest points, and I’m certain Dan will help us elevate our game in that area,” Kalich said.
Marsh’s personal blog catalogs “photo expeditions,” excursions he makes to photograph and document a place. Then, he said, “I write a trip report.”
In the Greenwood area, Marsh said he is interested in “what this community does and how we document it.”
In newspaper writing, “you’re writing history quickly,” he said. “You’re writing for everyone, and it will be read decades from now.”
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
