AP assistant biz editor leaving for Bloomberg Industries

Associated Press business editor Hal Ritter made the following staff announcement Tuesday afternoon:

After an 18-year run that started as an editorial assistant in AP’s Trenton bureau, Assistant Business Editor Donna Weston is leaving us for a job at Bloomberg Industries. Donna will be an editor in this data division of Bloomberg that publishes research from in-house analysts. Bloomberg Industries is based in Princeton.

For those who don’t know Donna’s AP history: She was promoted to newswoman six months after joining AP in 1994. She came to Business News in New York in 1998 as a general assignment reporter. She was later night supe and day supe before being promoted to assistant business editor in September 2001.

Since 2008, Donna has overseen the retailing and health care teams and our spot desk operation. She has been instrumental, especially, in helping us produce a strong product for APFN customers. Most recently, she developed the spot desk reorganization that went into effect Monday.

Donna’s last day will be Friday, Feb. 17. Details to come on a sendoff.

In the meantime, please join me in wishing her the very best in her new job.