Tampa Bay Newspapers names George as executive editor

Tampa Bay Newspapers has appointed Chris George as its new executive editor.

George will be overseeing the editorial operations of five Pinellas County weekly publications, two monthlies, and several special sections.

His new role will have George succeeding Tom Germond, who retired last week after 15 years with the newspaper.

George has also been the Largo Leader editor since joining Tampa Bay in 2015. He also oversees TBNweekly.com and the design of Suncoast News. Before that, he was the former news editor for the Lakeland Ledger and assistant managing editor at the Villages Daily Sun.

He has also performed design and copy-editing duties at the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

“I am extremely pleased to have Chris George as our new executive editor at Tampa Bay Newspapers,” said Dan Autrey, TBN president/publisher. “Although he has large shoes to fill in replacing Tom Germond, Chris has already proven himself to be an exceptional journalist and team leader. I have complete confidence that we won’t miss a beat in maintaining the high standards our readers have come to expect from TBN.”

“I’m confident he will ensure that TBN continues its focus on providing readers with top-notch community and local government news as well as designing attractive papers and special sections,” Germond added.

“I’m humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to lead a team of journalists who are both extremely talented and genuinely care about the communities they cover. I look forward to building new relationships in those communities while continuing Tampa Bay Newspapers’ long tradition of local journalism,” George said.

George has won awards in writing, headline writing and page design. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Florida.