CNHI-owned Oklahoma paper names Funk editor and publisher

The following excerpt was sent out from Editor & Publisher:

Jeff Funk, retired publisher of the Enid (Oklahoma) News & Eagle, has returned to the newspaper as publisher and editor, effective immediately.

He replaces Cindy Allen, who retired a week ago from both positions to spend more time with her family. She succeeded Funk as publisher in January 2021.

Funk joined the News & Eagle as executive editor 22 years ago, with later promotions to general manager and then publisher. Post-retirement, he and his wife, LynnDe, continued to live in Enid.

“I’m glad to be back leading the News & Eagle and EnidNews.com team,” Funk said. “A strong, professional news organization is important to the stability, success and growth of any community — and especially Enid and Northwest Oklahoma.”

Funk’s daily newspaper career spans 45 years, including newsroom and management experience at five papers in Nebraska and Kansas prior to his tenure at the News & Eagle.

The Oklahoma Press Association feted Funk’s commitment to quality local journalism and service to community two years ago with its highest honor, the H. Milt Phillips Award, named for the legendary owner, publisher and editor of the Seminole Daily Producer.

Funk is a former president of the press association and served on the Journalism National Advisory Council at Kansas State University, where he graduated with a journalism degree in 1975.