Dow Jones names new DC bureau chief

Rob Wells, who has been acting bureau chief, has been named bureau chief for Dow Jones Newswires in Washington, according to a memo from Rick Stine, senior editor of the Americas.

Stine wrote, “Rob became ‘acting’ bureau chief in December 2006 when longtime bureau chief John Connor retired. He is doing a strong job not only leading conventional coverage but is orchestrating a smooth transition to reporting economic indicators in elementized form, a key component of our successful ‘algo’ product. Rob will continue to report to me.

“Rob joined Newswires in May 2002 as deputy bureau chief. In addition to helping run the bureau, Rob covered tax policy for Newswires and oversaw election coverage for us in 2002, 2004 and 2006. And he will be playing that pivotal role for us again as we round the corner for the next presidential election.

“Before coming to Dow Jones, Rob covered tax and banking policy for Bloomberg Business News for nearly four years. Before that, he worked for more than 11 years as a reporter for the Associated Press.

“Rob received a bachelor’s degree in government and a minor in English from California State University, Sacramento, in 1984.”