Tacoma News Tribune biz editor retires

Jack Keith, who was the editor of the Tacoma News Tribune business section, has retired and will teach journalism classes at Western Washington University, according to a note in Executive Editor David Zeeck’s column on Sunday.

Zeeck wrote, “Jack most recently supervised the Business section, but he also led the Central and Suburban reporting teams and a team of specialty reporters in his 10 years here.

“Jack came to The News Tribune from The Bellingham Herald, where he was managing editor. He and his wife are returning to Bellingham in retirement, and Jack will teach several journalism courses at Western Washington University.

“Jack was one of about a dozen team leaders, each who oversee groups of reporters, copy editors, designers, photographers and graphic artists. Team leaders are responsible for developing stories with staffers, editing copy and graphics or photos, planning coverage, and hiring, supervising and evaluating staff. Most seldom get bylines, though Jack wrote quite a bit for the Business section.

“Jack will be remembered here as an innovative editor, a boss who encouraged his reporters, a lively critic of the paper, a tough interviewer, a kind and fun colleague, and a passionate baseball fan (Cubs first, Mariners a close second). He also was an active member of a Rotary Club in Gig Harbor.

“His retirement career as a college professor plays to another strength: his affinity for coaching and nurturing young reporters.”

Read more here. There is also a podcast of Keith talking about his departure from the paper after 10 years.