Atlanta biz editor leaving for law firm

Atlanta Journal-Constitution business editor Mark Braykovich confirms to Talking Biz News that he’s leaving the paper to become director of public relations for Troutman Sanders, a large law firm in the city.

Braykovich, a board member of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, oversees a staff of 35 reporters and editors covering metro Atlanta’s business community at the AJC. His last day at the paper is Feb. 9.

In an e-mail, Braykovich stated, “The decision was not an easy one. As many of you know, I’ve been involved in journalism for 25 years and have loved every minute of it. I’ve had the good fortune of working for and with some of the nation’s best journalists, and to be involved in dozens of thrilling stories over the years. It also isn’t easy to leave the fantastic Business staff at the AJC, whose work has been nothing less than stellar during my five years here.”

He joined the paper in December 2001 after serving as assistant managing editor/local news for the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal for three years. Prior to that, he was senior editor at The Cincinnati Enquirer, where he worked for 12 years as a business reporter, investigative reporter and, ultimately, as an editor overseeing projects throughout the newspaper.

Braykovich’s investigative and business reporting have garnered several national, state and regional journalism awards. He is a long-time member of Investigative Reporters & Editors and has spoken at numerous IRE conferences. He also chaired the local organizing committee of the 2004 IRE national conference in Atlanta.

He is a graduate of Ohio State University’s school of journalism.

It’s unclear who’s in line to repalce Braykovich as the paper’s top biz editor, but deputy business editor Henry Unger would be a logical candidate. (Disclosure: I worked on the AJC’s biz desk from 1994-97 with Unger when he was a reporter.)

Troutman Sanders is headquartered in Atlanta, but it has offices across the United States, including New York, Washington and Raleigh, and international locations in Hong Kong and London.