Namm named managing editor

STAFF REPORT

Leisah Namm has been named managing editor of Jewish News of Greater Phoenix.

She assumes her new responsibilities Sept. 13.

Other editorial staff members also are taking on new assignments, said Editor Barry Cohen.

As managing editor, Namm will facilitate the flow of editorial content from assignment to the printed page, as well as compose the newspaper's weekly e-mail newsletter.

Namm, who grew up in the Valley, earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at California State University Long Beach, and had worked in the advertising department at the corporate headquarters of the Hilton Hotels Corporation in Beverly Hills, Calif.

She began at Jewish News in January 2000 as a staff writer and was promoted to assistant editor in February 2001.

Namm's responsibilities have included local news and feature writing; editing the weekly community calendar; writing a monthly Singles column; and editing the annual Community Directory. She covers synagogues, the Jewish community centers and community organizations.

"I'm looking forward to continuing the newspaper's mission of providing a way for our readers to feel connected with the Valley's Jewish community," Namm said.

"With her deep understanding of our community, strong organizational skills and gentle but firm style, Leisah will help all of us work together to deliver a better newspaper to our growing readership," said Publisher Flo Eckstein.

Editorial staff members also include Alisa Sloan, special sections editor; Beth Olson, staff writer; Jessica Barber, editorial assistant; and Vicki Cabot, contributing editor.

Associate Editor Tami Bickley will take a leave of absence beginning Oct. 1.

Cohen directs the news-paper's editorial focus, content and design; edits the opinion pages; writes local news and feature stories, including government and politics; writes a monthly opinion column, and edits wire service news. He joined the staff in May 2000.

Sloan edits two major special sections a month; writes news and feature stories; does copy editing; and edits several lifestyle features, including Fashion, Health & Fitness, Home & Garden, Travel & Leisure, Pets and Society.

Sloan, who has been a member of the Jewish News staff since January 2001, will now also edit the weekly Arts & Culture pages.

Olson, who joined the staff in July 2000, covers education, youth and business news; writes a monthly parenting column and a monthly kids' book column; and does news and feature writing. Her new responsibility will be covering the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.

Barber, who began at Jewish News in February 2001 as a journalism intern, writes news and feature stories, milestone announcements, and news briefs. Her new responsibility will be editing the Community Calendar.

Cabot, a member of Jewish News' editorial team for nearly 20 years, will continue to write news and feature stories and commentary, as well as a monthly books column.

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