As a seasoned writer and editor, I’m the fourth generation of my family to work in the newspaper business in my native state of Kentucky. My great-grandfather bought and operated his hometown newspaper, The Springfield Sun, for nearly 50 years, and my father served as editor and publisher of my own hometown paper when I was young. A reporter who worked for my father once quipped that I acquired my journalistic chops through osmosis hanging around newsrooms as a boy, and my subsequent experience in the field in both print and broadcast news have provided opportunities to hone my craft in a variety of diverse settings.
On the communications front, I’ve served as a press secretary, public spokesman and digital media specialist for a national education reform nonprofit, StudentsFirst, and for the nation’s first attempt at an online presidential primary in Americans Elect.
As an account manager in public relations, where copywriting and storytelling meet, I helped create and execute media campaigns and direct media relations strategies for local homebuilders and restaurants and a statewide initiative on gambling, among other client work.
Education: B.A. in Print Journalism, Western Kentucky University
Fourth Generation In Kentucky’s Newspaper Business
My great-grandfather, J.S. Moran, was born in 1888 in Washington County, Ky. He developed a love for writing and prose as a young man and regularly submitted essays on nature and history for publication under the pen name “Uno.” He later purchased his hometown newspaper, The Springfield Sun, which he owned and operated for nearly 50 years.
During his career, J.S. was recognized as writer of the year by Kentucky Farm Bureau and served as correspondent reporter for the Louisville Courier-Journal and as an Associated Press representative for Central Ky., among other roles. He was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame in 1985.
In his later years, after The Sun’s sale to Landmark Community Newspapers, J.S. served as editor emeritus and penned an award-winning weekly column, “Through My Bifocals,” widely read by Washington Countians.
Joining him in the business early on was his son-in-law, and my grandfather, Joe Edelen, who served the newspaper in a variety of roles until his unexpected death. At that time, upon his graduation from the University of Kentucky, my father, Jim Edelen, returned to Springfield to help with the newspaper’s production and embarked on his own career in journalism. My father worked as a reporter and photographer and all-around news hound for the Sun, and went on to serve as the longtime editor and publisher of the Shelbyville Sentinel-News, my own hometown paper.
Following my studies in journalism at WKU in Bowling Green, I worked in broadcast news in Washington before returning to Ky. for a writing and editing role with The Kentucky Gazette, a Frankfort-based politics and public affairs journal. The Gazette’s owner, Kentucky Roll Call Publications, also produced several state government and legislative guides and a biweekly digital newsletter, the Kentucky Political Report. Through my own pursuits in journalism, I’m proud to represent the fourth generation of my family to have served the newspaper industry in Kentucky.
Writing Samples
Professional Experience
- Managing Editor / Reporter The Kentucky Gazette, Kentucky Political Report Frankfort, Ky.
- Staff Reporter Cascade Business News Bend, Ore.
- Production Assistant Fox News Channel Washington, D.C.
- Account Manager Preston-Osborne Public Relations Lexington, Ky.
- Midwest Press Secretary StudentsFirst Sacramento, Calif.
- Regional Press Secretary Americans Elect Washington, D.C.
- Reporting Intern The Anderson News Lawrenceburg, Ky.
- Student Reporter College Heights Herald Western Kentucky University
- Student Reporter Indiana Daily Student IU Bloomington