Dallas Morning News biz editor taking buyout

Dennis Fulton, the business editor of the Dallas Morning News, has accepted the newspaper’s buyout offer and will leave on Sept. 11.

In an email to Talking Biz News, Fulton wrote:

For me, the buyout offer came at a great time. I’ve been at the DMN for 38 years. It’s been a great career, but I’d already been talking with my editors about timing for an early retirement. The offer made the timing much easier.

I have a great staff. Together we have built a solid reputation for local business and economic coverage. We’ve won may national awards, including SABEW’s “general excellence” designation 11 times. I’m very proud of what we’ve done.

As the newspaper and the industry turn rapidly from print to digital, it’s time for new leadership for the department. Mike Wilson, who joined the paper earlier this year as editor, is moving us aggressively in that direction. He encouraged me to stay, but was very supportive of my personal decision to take the offer. We will begin working together on a transition plan in the coming days and weeks.

As for my plans, I will take a few months off and travel. I have two vacations planned and may take a third. I’ve already been approached about doing contract writing and editing. That’s an option early next year, but time off is very appealing.