Orlando Sentinel promotes newsroom veteran
Simmons will lead daily newsroom operations as managing editor
engagement, sports, entertainment and breaking news.
Anderson said she picked Simmons because he is a good manager who understands Central Florida and readers.
“We need to grow, and I’m confident he’s the right person,” Anderson said. “He’s one of the more innovative editors that I’ve worked with in trying new approaches.”
Simmons will report to Anderson, editor-in-chief and leader of overall newsroom operations at both the Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale.
As managing editor, Simmons will direct daily newsgathering operations at the Orlando Sentinel, El Sentinel, and the By Kyle Arnold Orlando Sentinel
The Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday named Roger Simmons its new managing editor to lead day-to-day newsroom operations.
Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson announced the move to the newsroom. Simmons, currently the Sentinel’s content director for audience engagement, was selected after a four-month search that involved both internal and external candidates.
Simmons, 54, has worked as an editor at the Orlando Sentinel since 1993 and has led several departments including audience GrowthSpotter.com and ProSoccerUSA.co m websites.
During his time at the Sentinel, Simmons directed launches of Tribune Publishing projects such as ProSoccerUSA.com and Varsity MyTeam.
Now leading the newsroom, he says he wants to emphasize in-depth journalism.
“I hope to see us do a lot of enterprise reporting that focuses on our community,” Simmons said. “You have to pick one area and dominate that area, and for us, that should be shining a light on the important issues in our community.”
Simmons is a Florida native and has lived in Central Florida since 1982. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in liberal studies with an emphasis on journalism, history and political science.
He lives east of Orlando and has a son who attends UCF. His wife, Lisa Cianci, is the Sentinel’s content director for news and reports to Anderson.
Simmons replaces John Cutter, who moved into a new position as content director for operations and standards at the Orlando Sentinel in November.
The Orlando Sentinel is a part of Tribune Publishing, the same company that operates the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Chicago Tribune and Baltimore Sun among other media properties.
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