Washington Biz Journal hiring five new staffers

The Washington Business Journal, an American City Business Journals paper, is looking to hire up to  five new business journalists for its staff, according to editor Doug Fruehling.

The paper recently lost Jonathan O’Connell, one of its top reporters, to Capital Business, the new weekly business newspaper from the Washington Post starting next month. Associate editor Tim Burn also recently left.

“We are both filling vacancies and growing,” said Fruehling. “We are looking for reporters specializing in technology, economic development and government contracting, and we have at least one editor position open.” The paper currently has a staff of 18.

Fruehling seemed unconcerned about the new competition from Capital Business.

“Most of our hiring relates to the normal course of business; we had three people leave recently,” he said. “But we are obviously aware of Capital Business and are making sure that we have the right employees to meet and beat any new competition that comes our way.”