Petermann named editor at Sierra Vista Herald
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Eric Petermann has been named the editor at the Sierra Vista Herald/Bisbee Daily Review.
He started Monday at the local Wick Communications publication after four years at The Journal-Standard, a daily newspaper in Freeport, Ill., where he was also the editor.
Herald/Review Publisher Philip Vega said Petermann was the best among a large field of candidates who applied.
“We were impressed by Eric’s passion for the newspaper business. His work in Illinois elevated the quality of the content and also improved that newspaper’s standing in the community.
“While we believe we publish a good newspaper, we look forward to Eric’s leadership and news instincts. His experience and enthusiasm leading the news staff will translate into a better newspaper delivered to our readers,” Vega said.
Petermann said he was attracted to work with an experienced publisher at a family-owned company.
“I was impressed with the management structure, both at the newspaper and at Wick Communications. In today’s newspaper industry, the reality is that community journalism has lost some of its priority to corporate financial management. It’s refreshing to find a newspaper that values its content and puts its readers first,” Petermann said.
In 2009, Petermann received numerous writing awards including best opinion page in his newspaper group, columnist of the year from Suburban Newspaper Association, and an editorial writing award from The Associated Press.
Prior to his time in Freeport, Petermann was the editor at The Post-Journal in Machesney Park, Ill., and previous to that worked in the commercial printing industry in Milwaukee, Wis.
He has been affiliated with newspapers for most of his life, working with his father, the publisher and owner of a twice-weekly newspaper in Delavan, Wis.
After growing up in the business, Petermann worked for the eventual buyer of his father’s newspaper, Bliss Communications, for three years, before leaving to work in commercial printing.
He has three grown daughters. The youngest is attending nursing school at the University of Wisconsin, the second daughter is a nurse at University Hospitals in Madison, where she is finishing her studies as a Nurse Practitioner; and the oldest daughter is completing her residency as pediatrician at Michigan State University, at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich.
To contact the editor send an email to eric.petermann@svherald.com or call the newspaper at (520) 458-9440.