Cleveland layoffs include longtime biz journalist Pledger

Marcia Pledger, who had worked on the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s business news desk for more than 23 years, was among those laid off this week.

Pledger had volunteered to be part of the layoff.

“I’ve had a lot of great opportunities during my career at the Plain Dealer,” said Pledger in an email to Talking Biz News. “The people I’ve met and the experiences they’ve shared have prepared me to move forward with my next chapter.

“I’ve spent so much of my career covering the ups and downs that small business owners face, and I’m looking forward to freelance opportunities, particularly in the fast-growing marijuana industry,” she added. “I’ve covered so many industries throughout the years, and I love sharing stories of passionate business owners.”

At the Plain Dealer, Pledger wrote about entrepreneurs, technology and reinvention. She wrote a long-time column and book called, “My Biggest Mistake…And How I Fixed It,” about how businesses and people transformed themselves.

The 14 editorial layoffs at the paper also claimed energy and utilities reporter John C. Funk.