Ostrout takes news helm at Journal Inquirer

Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

Jun. 23—MANCHESTER — Neill Ostrout will take the helm of the Journal Inquirer newsroom as the managing editor, Jim Konrad, is stepping down from the position, effective Friday.

"I am thrilled to be tasked with leading the Journal Inquirer's outstanding editorial staff and excited to continue the JI's tradition of 'telling it like it is' to the readers in North Central Connecticut," Ostrout said today after the announcement was made to staff.

Ostrout said he has been "reading the JI since I was a child, and technically began working for the paper when I was a 12-year-old delivering the paper in Enfield.

"I look forward to building on the foundation laid down by predecessors in the role, Chris Powell and Jim Konrad, who were excellent newsroom leaders and who have also helped prepare me for this job. As our staff moves forward, we will strive to perfect our long-established print edition, while continuing to expand the paper's digital presence."

Ostrout has worked for the Journal Inquirer for 11-plus years, first serving as assistant sports editor and then sports editor. He has 26 years of experience in the newspaper industry, spending 12 years at the Connecticut Post in Bridgeport before coming to the JI, and three years before that at The Herald in New Britain.

Ostrout and his wife, Lauren, live in Colchester.

Konrad was hired to the top editorial position at the JI in July 2020. He previously was executive editor at The Bulletin in Norwich for more than a decade.

In the last two years, his focus was on growing the JI's digital footprint, which included more breaking news and visual content, which helped triple the organization's digital subscriptions.

After 38 years in the news business, he said he is pursuing opportunities in the renewable energy field.

"The JI is a great news organization with talented and dedicated journalists," Konrad said today. "It's been a pleasure and an honor to work with them. I look forward to seeing Neill lead the group into their next adventures and the next big stories."