News-Herald welcomes new GM

Monday morning began the start of a new journey for the News-Herald and The Connection staff members, as they welcomed Darrell Richardson as the new general manager.

Richardson graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1987, but his inspiration for journalism came during his grade-school years in Hixson.

When an English teacher caught him drawing in class, rather than reprimanding him like some of his other teachers, he was encouraged to join the school newspaper as a creative outlet.

Richardson is a longtime award-winning writer and photographer and currently serves as the president-elect for the statewide Tennessee Press Association. He received the TPA President’s Award in 2019.

For the past three years, he has served as advertising director for The Daily Times in Blount County.

Previously, Richardson served as The Oak Ridger’s editor, advertising director and publisher from late 2003 to April 2020. Prior to that, he worked for 10 years as editor and general manager of Roane Newspapers in Kingston and for five years as a reporter and editor at the Clinton Courier-News.

He was the recipient of The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge’s 2020 Professional Excellence Award and is a former Assistant District Governor of Rotary International’s District 6780.

He currently serves on the Kiwanis Club of Maryville’s board of directors, served two terms as chairman of the Roane County Chamber of Commerce and is a Field Coin recipient from four-star U.S. Gen. B.B. Bell for media efforts.

“I’m enjoying meeting and working with the staff here,” Richardson said. “I look forward to getting out in the community and learning more about Lenoir City, Loudon County and Tellico Village and getting to know the people that live and work here.”

Richardson is preceded by Steve Meadows, who began his work with the News-Herald and The Connection in 2011. His last day was Friday, Jan. 26.

Meadows served the Loudon County area for nearly 12 years and has moved on to other business ventures outside the newspaper industry. However, during his nearly 40-year-career, he won numerous Associated Press and Georgia Press Association awards in writing, design and photography.

He graduated in 1986 from Valdosta State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism.

The news of Meadow’s departure came as a surprise to many of the staff members, especially to the News-Herald’s Multimedia Account Executive Darrell Coursey. With being a recent hire, this was something he didn’t expect.

“It was a shock for Steve to leave because he had just hired me, and he’s been here for so long. It’s kind of hard to imagine the paper without him,” Coursey said. “Darrell seems especially nice, down-to-earth, friendly. He has a can-do attitude.”

While Meadows will be missed, the News-Herald and The Connection staff members and newsroom are eager to get to know Richardson more and are thankful for his leadership.

“I wish (Steve) the best,” said Nate Tosado, sports writer for the News-Herald. “I’m excited to start working with Darrell. I know he brings a lot of experience and time in journalism. I’m excited to learn under him and produce the best possible paper.”

Darrell Richardson can be contacted via email at darrell.richardson@news-herald.net.