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Jeff Brasher
Kennedy hired as managing editor of the Pine Bluff Commercial The Pine Bluff Commercial announced it has hired Rick Kennedy as its new managing editor. Kennedy starts at the newspaper on Sept. 16. Kennedy most recently was editor of the Helena Daily World. He previously worked at the Commercial as a copy editor and night desk supervisor.
Jeff Brasher, a former page designer for the Times Record in Fort Smith and Stephens Media, died Sept. 9. He was 47. Brasher, of Hackett, worked for the Times Record for 23 years. He left the newspaper in 2016 to work as a graphic designer at Consolidated Printing in Van Buren. He graduated from Greenwood High School and studied journalism at Westark Community College and the University of Central Arkansas. Survivors include a daughter, Corrine Brasher of Van Buren; sons Christian Brasher of Hackett and Colin Brasher of Seattle; one brother; two sisters and a granddaughter. Brasher’s funeral is Friday at 2 p.m. at McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood. To sign an online guestbook, visit www. mcconnellfh.com.
Industry Quote of the Week “I knew I was going to be a journalist when I was eight years old and I saw the printing presses rolling at the Sydney newspaper where my dad worked as a proofreader.” -Geraldine Brooks Arkansas Publisher Weekly
and has earned 42 industry awards or certificates. He was a newspaper publisher in Blackfoot, Idaho, and has worked in various media organizations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
“We’re excited to have Rick join our team,” said Jennifer Allen, publisher of the Commercial, in the announcement of the hire. “His extensive editorial experience will allow the Commercial to continue its leadership in providing the best local coverage. “ Kennedy is a 1988 graduate of the University of Louisiana. In his threedecade newspaper career, he has worked in television, radio and newspapers
Rick Kennedy
Local Society of Professional Journalists group named Small Chapter of the Year Congratulations to the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, which was recently named SPJ’s Small Chapter of the Year for the second year in a row. SPJ each year recognizes the best chapters “for their commitment to SPJ’s mission and the journalism profession,” according to an SPJ news release. The Arkansas Pro Chapter was honored for its engagement, which included a panel discussion on reporting during tragedies, its Sunshine Week FOIA blitz and its traveling ice cream Left to right: Sarah DeClerk, Wendy Miller and Jennifer Everett Ellis. social events that covered journalism topics on college campuses. SPJ partners with the Arkansas Press Association on a number of projects, including support of the production of the definitive Arkansas FOIA handbook. “Our local SPJ chapter should be a model for how journalists can benefit each other and the community through professional development and advocacy,” said Ashley Wimberley, APA executive director. “We congratulate the Arkansas Pro chapter for earning this honor for the second consecutive year.” 4
September 12, 2019