Mike Shearer picked as new executive editor of The Columbus Dispatch

Mark Williams, Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read
Mike Shearer is introduced as the new executive editor of the Columbus Dispatch on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2023. At left is Beryl Love, executive editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer who served as interim editor at The Dispatch. The announcement was made in the newspaper's offices at 605 S. Front St. in Columbus. Shearer was formerly editor of the Newark Advocate and the Akron Beacon Journal.

A long-time journalist with strong ties to central Ohio has been picked to be the new leader of The Columbus Dispatch.

Mike Shearer, 54, editor and market leader for the Akron Beacon Journal, has been named the new executive editor of The Columbus Dispatch, capping a months-long search to replace Edwina Blackwell Clark.

“Mike is a proven newsroom leader with deep roots in Ohio and the Columbus region in particular,” said Beryl Love, regional editor for the USA TODAY Network Ohio. “He has a passion for local journalism and its role in serving the community, and I know he’s eager to carry on the rich tradition The Dispatch has of being 'Ohio’s Greatest Home Newspaper.'”

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead an amazing team of journalists at my hometown newspaper," Shearer said. "I’ve been reading The Dispatch in print and online for as long as I can remember.

“Local journalism is a key ingredient in any successful community and I will work to make sure The Dispatch continues to serve metro Columbus with the stories it deserves and needs.”

Shearer will officially take over the Dispatch newsroom on Jan. 8.

Mike Shearer is the new editor of The Columbus Dispatch.
Mike Shearer is the new editor of The Columbus Dispatch.

Beyond serving as the executive editor for the Beacon Journal, Shearer is the regional editor for four additional USA TODAY Network Ohio newsrooms: the Canton Repository, Record-Courier, Alliance Review and Massillon Independent.

He also is a journalism instructor at Kent State University.

Shearer grew up in central Ohio and has family in the area.

Shearer earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University and has enjoyed a 30-year career in news throughout Ohio.

He has won numerous awards, including the Gannett President’s ring for the news restructuring project and journalistic excellence and multiple awards from the Cleveland Press Club.

Shearer joined the Beacon Journal in March 2019. Previously, he’s served as the top editor of the Record-Courier in Kent and The Newark Advocate.

He has won awards for editorial writing, and his teams have won overall general excellence honors.

When he’s not working, Shearer enjoys traveling with his family and watching sports, rooting on Ohio State, the Blue Jackets and the Reds.

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mike Shearer picked to lead Dispatch newsroom