Thompson new executive editor at NWA Democrat-Gazette

weekly publications, in addition to representing the newspapers in the community.

“I’m confident in Lisa’s ability to lead the newsroom and ensure our readers are getting the best possible product,” Publisher Eliza Hussman Gaines said in an announcement of the promotion. “Lisa has been in the journalism industry for almost 40 years, a majority of that time spent with our company. In addition to her experience, she has excellent news judgment and a deep knowledge of the communities served by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. I’m excited to see what she does in this role.”

Sunday editor in 2002. She was promoted to managing editor in 2004. She has previously worked at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in both Little Rock and northwest Arkansas, the Idaho Statesman in Boise and the Anchorage Times in Alaska. She and her husband, Doug Thompson, live in Fayetteville and have four children and three grandchildren.

Lisa Thompson has been named the new executive editor of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the newspaper announced.

The promotion was effective Aug. 3. Thompson had been acting in that position since the retirement of former Editor Rusty Turner on May 19.

As executive editor, Thompson will supervise the editors, reporters, photographers and designers at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the River Valley Democrat-Gazette in Fort Smith and NWA Media’s area

“Lisa has the experience and knowledge to lead the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette into new and exciting places,” said Brent Powers, president of NWA Media, in the announcement. “I know that she will bring the same passion she has displayed in the managing editor role to her new executive editor role.”

Thompson holds a bachelor of arts in journalism with a minor in legal studies from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She came to The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas, which was later merged with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, as

“I am honored that Eliza and the rest of the management team at WEHCO have entrusted me with the responsibility to continue to make the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette the source for news and information in our circulation area,” Thompson said. “Rusty Turner was both an outstanding newspaper editor and a respected, active member of the Northwest Arkansas community. He will be a very hard act to follow.

“I’m lucky to work with a great staff of journalists who strive every day to bring our readers the best they can produce to tell the stories of this region -- its places and people -- as only neighbors can,” Thompson continued. “I want to thank the Northwest Arkansas-Democrat Gazette’s leadership for this personal opportunity but -- more than that -- I want to thank them for their commitment to keeping the readers of this region and this state informed.”