Fort Collins, Colo., businessman becoming biz editor

In one of the most unique announcements I have seen about the naming of a new business editor for a daily newspaper, the Fort Collins Coloradoan named a local businessman as its new business editor on Wednesday.

Tom Johnson has been named business editor of the Coloradoan, effective May 1.

The announcement on the paper’s Web site today quoted Johnsobn, who opened Bingham Hill Cheese Co. seven years ago with his wife, Kristi, as saying, “The Coloradoan is a newspaper I’ve read since I was 8 years old, and I’ve enjoyed watching it develop over time. I’m flattered, and excited to hit the ground running. This has been a bright opportunity for me to look forward to as I finish closing down Bingham Hill.”

Johnson, 44, announced earlier this year that he was closing his company, citing the loss of a major account with Trader Joe’s natural supermarkets.

Before starting Bingham Hill, Johnson had extensive journalism experience as a freelance writer and as a contributor to Colorado State University magazines.

Read the announcement here.

According to the cheese company’s Web site, Johnson “owned an educational video production business. He sold the business in favor of earning his master’s degree in watershed science at Colorado State University, and subsequently managed a river restoration task force in Colorado Springs. From there, he made his transition to cheese, bringing along some sound business experience plus a new appreciation for sustainable business practices.”

No mention of his writing background on the Bingham Hill site.