Chris Segal, a North Carolina native and former editor of The Sun News in Myrtle Beach, has been named executive editor of The State, succeeding Brian Tolley as leader of the Columbia, South Carolina, newsroom.
Segal, 39, came to The State last fall to oversee metro news reporters and has most recently been in charge of the newsroom following Tolley’s retirement in March. He was among three finalists for the job.
Nicole Stockdale, McClatchy’s senior vice-president for local news in the Carolinas, announced Segal’s hiring during the newsroom’s staff meeting Thursday morning. Segal said he’s ready for the challenge and looks forward to directing what he called an energetic and talented staff.
“The State stands apart in our expertise and our history and our ability to bring people together,’’ he said. “It’s a great newsroom that people want to stay in and work at.’’
Segal said that, as editor, he’ll stress local stories that include a mixture of daily news and enterprise pieces. Accountability journalism will be an important part of The State’s mission, Segal said.
But he noted that The State has challenges ahead.
“I want readers to know these are uncertain and challenging times in business, including the journalism business,’’ he said. “We have a lot of work to regain the trust of readers.’’ Stockdale said Segal got the executive editor’s post because he has clear priorities and a solid background in journalism. She said he has strong planning skills, “a heart for journalism, and an optimism that there is so much promise to build on the momentum you already have.’’ Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, Segal grew up in southern California. He graduated from Pepperdine University with a journalism degree, and he later received an MBA from the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina.
Reprinted from the newsletter of the South Carolina Press Association.
