Dickerson named LA Times biz editor

Los Angeles Times editor Davan Maharaj and managing editor Marc Duvoisin sent the following message to the staff on Tuesday:

We’re very happy to announce that Marla Dickerson is the new Business editor of the Los Angeles Times.

A career financial journalist who has served as a deputy Business editor for the past three years, Marla is a natural to lead one of the hardest-working staffs in the industry.

During her 16 years at The Times, she has covered a variety of beats key to the region’s dynamism, including the California economy, small business, manufacturing, tourism and renewable energy.

A former business correspondent in Mexico City, Marla has a deep understanding of the trade and immigration ties that bind Los Angeles to Latin America. As editor of our China business coverage for the past few years, she has helped give readers a window into the world’s second-largest economy. She and colleague Evelyn Iritani won the Malcolm Forbes Award from the Overseas Press Club of America in 2002 for their series “China: the Giant Awakes.”

Marla’s clear thinking and sixth sense for story have turned eye-glazing data into compelling reads. In Costa Rica, she walked a mail route to tell the story of the colorful but chaotic address system that’s hindering that nation’s development. A grimy South Gate recycling yard was the backdrop for her story about America’s hottest export — used cardboard.

Before joining The Times, Marla was a reporter for the Detroit News and the Rochester, N.Y., Times. She has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois and a master’s in journalism from Northwestern. She’s on the board of governors of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.

Please join us in wishing her the best in her new job.