Anderson Independent Mail editor announces his retirement after distinguished career

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Sep 02, 2014, 08:30 ET

CINCINNATI, Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- John C. Huff Jr., editor of the Independent Mail in Anderson, S.C., since 2008, has announced his retirement after a newspaper career that dates to his first paper route more than 55 years ago.

The Independent Mail is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP).

"John leaves behind an award-winning team of journalists with a great commitment to their community, craft and each other," said Susan Kelly-Gilbert, publisher and chief revenue officer of the Independent Mail. "For me personally, he has been a great guide and support in learning the community and the newspaper over the last two years. We will miss his strong voice, keen insight and passion."

Huff's successor as editor of the Independent Mail will be announced in the next several days. He will remain to assist with the newsroom's leadership transition through early December.

During Huff's tenure, the Independent Mail won more than 100 awards in the South Carolina Press Association's annual journalism competition.

"John is one of our most thoughtful and talented newsroom leaders," said Mizell Stewart III, vice president/content of the Scripps newspaper division. "The standard of excellence demonstrated by the Independent Mail staff on digital and print platforms is among the best in our company."

Huff's early career included experience in production and advertising sales before he took a daily newsroom reporting job while still a student at Duke University. He has been a reporter or editor at several papers in the Carolinas as well as The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Dallas Times Herald and The Orlando Sentinel, most frequently serving as city editor, special projects editor or chief editor.

Huff, 65, is a Nieman Fellow of Harvard University and a graduate of the Advanced Executive Program at Northwestern University. For several years he was a frequent speaker, panelist or guest at international journalism, technology and futurism conferences in Europe and Asia.

Before joining the Independent Mail, Huff served as editor of the Washington (N.C.) Daily News, the New Bern Sun Journal and The Post and Courier of Charleston. He is a native of Greenville, S.C., and plans to remain in the Upstate.

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (www.scripps.com) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of television, print and digital media brands. Scripps owns 21 local television stations as well as daily newspapers in 13 markets across the United States. It also runs an expanding collection of local and national digital journalism and information businesses including digital video news service Newsy. Scripps also produces television programming, runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and serves as the longtime steward of the nation's largest, most successful and longest-running educational program, the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1879, Scripps is focused on the stories of tomorrow.

SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company