Poynter Institute names new president

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Poynter Institute, a center for journalism education and the owner of the Tampa Bay Times, has chosen the newspaper's editor, Neil Brown, to be its next president, starting in mid-September.

“I am honored to join Poynter, where imagination and integrity have been hallmarks in helping journalists get better at what they do and stay relevant in how they do it,” says Brown in a statement. “In these exciting, unsettling and complicated times, Poynter's leadership and creativity are needed more than ever. I'm grateful for the chance to work with great professionals who are making a difference to journalism - and our democracy - every day.”

Brown began his career at the Miami Herald, moved to Congressional Quarterly in Washington, D.C., and then joined the Times. He started as world editor in 1993 and then assumed a series of leadership roles, including managing editor and executive editor.

Brown became the newspaper's editor in 2010. Under his leadership, the Times has won six Pulitzer Prizes in the past eight years. One prize was for PolitiFact, the first digital project to receive journalism's highest honor.

“From more than 100 candidates, Neil emerged as the leader who will help Poynter build upon its success as a place that improves journalism and strengthens democracy, both across the United States and around the world,” says Poynter Board of Trustees Chairman Paul Tash in a statement. “That purpose has never been more essential.”

Brown, 59, is a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board and a former board member of the American Society of News Editors. He will remain a director of the Times Publishing Company and serve on the board's executive committee.