WSJ’s Baker recognizes Mitchell-Ford

Wall Street Journal editor Gerry Baker sent out the following message to the staff on Wednesday:

Today marks the last day after nearly thirty years for a long-serving colleague who has been one of the most important leaders and journalists in her time at The Wall Street Journal: Connie Mitchell-Ford.

Since joining the Journal to cover economics and banking in Pittsburgh in 1986, Connie has held a wide number different reporting and management jobs, in Money & Investing, on the news desk and in economics and real estate coverage.  Throughout her career, Connie has been a beacon of highly intelligent, sophisticated financial journalism of the kind that matters most to our readers.

As head of the Global Real Estate and Property bureau, she has managed a  team of reporters writing with greater depth and insight on what has been one of the most important and consequential sectors of the global economy.  Whether delving into the currents of the consumer housing market or navigating the complicated world of commercial real estate, Connie’s teams have excelled in a crowded field.  Among many achievements and big stories, she oversaw the coverage that broke the scandals at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the early 2000s and she steered Journal coverage of the subprime mortgage crisis and its aftermath—work for which she won a Scripps Howard Foundation award, among her many honors.

Connie also has been the boss of and mentor to some of the finest journalists, among them Jon Hilsenrath, Jennifer Forsyth, Nick Timiraos, Peter Grant, Bob Hagerty and Patrick Barta.  “She set an example to all of us women about how to have a long, distinguished career here,” says Jennifer.  Patrick recalls Connie advising him as a young reporter to read the Credit Markets column every day to learn about the economy and even the world at large.  “I was skeptical – it seemed awfully narrow and maybe even a little boring – but I quickly discovered she was right,” he says.  Nick notes: “For a young reporter, she provided the best combination of high, exacting standards together with the patience and judgment to go find great stories. … I may not miss getting an edit back, on deadline that had been ripped apart with questions, often returned with the same short and subtle instruction at the top to refile ‘FAST FAST FAST.’  But I will miss the way she challenged all of us to do our best work.”

Indeed, all her colleagues testify to Connie’s high standards and support for her staff.  “She didn’t suffer fools or shoddy journalism,” says Jon.  “Connie was something every reporter wants and needs to succeed at the WSJ: a strong advocate for her people.

We are privileged to have worked with Connie and grateful for what she has brought the Journal.  For those of you here in New York, please join us at 3 pm today at the Hub for a few words of gratitude and good wishes and a glass of something sparkling to celebrate her contribution.