Pearson brings ‘energy, passion,’ to new role as Star’s managing editor
Readers of the Windsor Star may know Craig Pearson as a reporter and a company ambassador — roles he’s held happily for the past 28 years — but now they can know him as the news organization’s leader.
The newsroom veteran will take on the position of managing editor starting next week, replacing the Star’s retiring editor-in-chief Ellen van Wageningen.
“I’m just thrilled to help continue the tradition of great journalism at the Windsor Star,” Pearson said on Friday.
Van Wageningen praised her colleague and successor. “Craig has been a joy to work with and I’m happy he will be leading the editorial team,” she said.
“He has been a key member of this newsroom and an outstanding representative of the Windsor Star. His energy, passion for journalism, and positive attitude are infectious.”
Van Wageningen officially steps out of her position on Sept. 1. Joining her in leaving the Star are assignment editor Roseann Danese and fitness reporter Kelly Steele. Pearson acknowledged that the news industry doesn’t have the numbers it once did. But he believes “good journalism happens no matter what.”
“I’m interested in features and in-depth stuff, covering this community as best we can. And I know, with this team of people, we’re going to be able to do it.” Originally from Montreal, Pearson’s resume includes time at the Sherbrooke Record and the Montreal Daily News. But it’s at the Star where he has spent the large majority of his three-decade newspaper career, covering everything from the arts scene to municipal affairs — “Every type of story imaginable,” he said.
His career highlights include serving as a war correspondent in Afghanistan, numerous professional accolades, and the National Newspaper Awards Citation of Merit for his work on the Star’s 2014 series on gun-running. A familiar face in the community, Pearson has represented the Star at countless social functions, community events, and televised debates.
As the holder of a bachelor of journalism degree and a master’s degree in communication studies, Pearson has encouraged journalism education, teaching courses at the University of Windsor for more than two decades. In recent years, he’s also found time to coauthor two books on Windsor history, with hopes for a third.