Wellborn, former Memphis Biz Journal editor, dies

Bill Wellborn, who for many readers over the years was the face of Memphis Business Journal, has died.

Michael Sheffield of the paper writes, “Wellborn, who retired in 2014, long entertained MBJ readers with his weekly humor column that covered everything from the travails of his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks football team, to his wife’s love of hockey, and, of course, his dogs. He was also a highly respected member of the Memphis business community, emphasizing fair and accurate coverage from his entire staff.

“Wellborn began his MBJ career in 1986, starting out as a reporter. He worked his way up to managing editor and was promoted to editor in 1997, after MBJ was acquired by American City Business Journals from Barney DuBois, who co-founded the publication in 1979 with Ward Archer Sr.

“During Wellborn’s time as editor, the Tennessee Press Association consistently awarded MBJ, including a first place for General Excellence (TPA’s top award) in 2005. The TPA also awarded Wellborn with Best Column multiple times from 2004 to 2011.”

Read more here.

Chris Roush

Chris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.