Longtime biz reporter retires from News & Observer

David Ranii, a longtime business reporter at The (Raleigh) News & Observer, has retired from the paper.

Ranii had been at the paper for more than two decades, joining it in March 1993. He previously worked as a business reporter for the Pittsburgh Press from 1986 to 1993.

Before that, he worked at the National Law Journal.

“They offered my a buyout, and I recently turned 65, and it was the right offer at the right time,” said Ranii, whose last day in the newsroom was Wednesday. “I did have a choice. I could have stayed.”

At the N&O, Ranii covered IT companies, venture capital, banking, insurance, pharmaceutical companies, the economy and much more.

“David Ranii built relationships with sources across this region by always being fair,” said former News & Observer business journalist Alan Wolf. “He never minded making extra calls and doing extra reporting to make sure he could present all sides of a story.

“Since I’ve left the N&O, I’ve talked with many people who appreciate his objectivity and professionalism. The paper is losing an institution who has probably more Biz bylines than any other reporter.”

News & Observer business editor Mary Cornatzer was also effusive in her praise of Ranii:

During his tenure, David has won numerous awards. His most recent NC Press Association award was last year for a piece on a single mom who won a legal battle with Lumber Liquidators.

But I think the greatest measure of David’s success can be seen in the relationships he’s built with a variety of people over the years — from major corporations to small mom-and-pop businesses. They all appreciate his objectivity and professionalism.

We will miss him, but it’s a well-earned retirement.

Ranii has a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a master’s degree from American University.