John G. Miller

Executive Editor, WV News, Clarksburg, WV Education: Salem-teikyo University, bachelor of arts in communicationsbroadcasting; Glenville State University, honorary doctorate of journalism Number of years in news media: 38+ years

What advice do you have for other young professionals aspiring to become an editor extraordinaire?

The key is to surround yourself with good people and be open to learning new skills. Unless you’re working for a big organization that allows you to specialize, realize the more skills you bring to the table, the better suited you are for success. I can lead effectively because I know what skills are needed for each position and can help others reach their goals.

You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, but it helps to have people who can find answers and solutions and work well together as a team.

I’ve been blessed to cross paths with great journalists, some of whom remain with us today, and others have moved to larger publications. Thanks to the strong support of local, committed ownership of our print publications and digital platforms, all have been a part of our remarkable success story.

What do you see as the most important trend in editorial content today?

Focusing on community journalism by being better storytellers and using a true multimedia approach, with stories, photos and videos to capture a better experience for the audience, is crucial. We don’t control how people view our content. Our job is to make sure it’s available to them and that it’s of high quality and purpose. We can’t lose sight of what we do: tell other people’s stories, educate on important issues and chronicle history as it is being made.