Western North Carolina attracts highly accomplished people of all backgrounds, including award-winning journalists from some of the world’s leading news organizations.
The News Team
Sally Kestin, investigative reporter, co-founder
Former investigative reporter at The Sarasota Herald-Tribune, The Tampa Tribune and The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and recipient of numerous national journalism awards, including the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. She was a 2006 Pulitzer Prize finalist in investigative reporting. Email: skestin@avlwatchdog.org
Tom Fiedler, reporter
Dean emeritus and journalism professor at Boston University’s College of Communication; former executive editor of The Miami Herald; trustee of TheConversation.com/us; co-founder New England Center for Investigative Reporting; former president New England First Amendment Coalition; award-winning investigative and political reporter during three decades at The Miami Herald including a shared Pulitzer Prize in 1991. Email: tfiedler@avlwatchdog.org
Peter Lewis, managing editor, reporter
Former senior writer, editor, and columnist, The New York Times; managing editor of The Bay Citizen in San Francisco; senior editor Fortune magazine; and John S. Knight Fellow and Hearst Visiting Professional in Residence at Stanford University, where he taught journalism. Email: plewis@avlwatchdog.org
Barbara Durr, reporter
Former correspondent for The Financial Times of London and a former editor for National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.” Barbara was also a senior manager in two international nonprofits, CARE and Oxfam. Email: bdurr@avlwatchdog.org
John Boyle, reporter, columnist
Former reporter and “Answer Man” columnist at The Asheville Citizen Times, recipient of numerous North Carolina Press Association journalism awards, including the 2016 O. Henry award for Outstanding Writing. Email: jboyle@avlwatchdog.org
Starr Sariego, photographer
A native of Miami, now living in Asheville, she believes in using photography for social change. Her latest project, This Skin I’m In, features portraits of the LGBTQIA+ community in Western North Carolina. Email: editor@avlwatchdog.org
John Maines, database editor
Former database editor at The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. His journalism career spanned more than four decades. He is the recipient of numerous state and national awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes, for Public Service in 2013 and 2019. Email: editor@avlwatchdog.org
Zane Meyer-Thornton, videographer
A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Zane believes in the power of visuals to create understanding and generate connection. His work has received numerous awards from national and international organizations, including College Photographer of the Year and the Hearst Journalism Awards Program. Email: editor@avlwatchdog.org
Gail Meadows, editor
Former editor and columnist for The Miami Herald. Email: editor@avlwatchdog.org
William Robertson, editor
Former writer and editor at The Miami Herald; as the newspaper’s book editor, he was twice a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his writing on literary subjects. Email: editor@avlwatchdog.org
Management Team
The experienced executives overseeing our business operations include:
Bob Gremillion, Publisher, Chief Executive Officer, co-founder
Former executive vice president, Tribune Publishing Company, overseeing The Baltimore Sun, The Hartford Courant, The Orlando Sentinel, The Chicago Tribune, and other newspapers; publisher, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel; winner, National Conference for Community & Justice Silver Medallion and Urban League Diversity Champion; founder and CEO ChicagoLand Television News (owned by Chicago Tribune). Email: bgremillion@avlwatchdog.org
Karen M. Knab, Chief Operating Officer
Former corporate attorney and senior executive with three AmLaw 100 law firms. Served as Circuit Executive of the DC Circuit and was a member of the Board of Directors of Western States Law School in Orange County, Calif. University of Chicago Law School graduate. Email: kknab@avlwatchdog.org
David Feingold, Strategic Advisor
Former general manager and chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Public Radio in Asheville. Before BPR, Feingold was assistant GM for content at Nebraska Public Media. He has also been an executive editor for Reuters TV, and national editor, business news editor, and London bureau chief for CNN. Email: dfeingold@avlwatchdog.org
Board of Directors
Tom Fiedler
Dean emeritus and journalism professor at Boston University’s College of Communication; former executive editor of The Miami Herald; trustee of TheConversation.com/us; co-founder New England Center for Investigative Reporting; former president New England First Amendment Coalition; award-winning investigative and political reporter during three decades at The Miami Herald including a shared Pulitzer Prize in 1991.
Bob Gremillion
Former executive vice president, Tribune Publishing Company, overseeing The Baltimore Sun, The Hartford Courant, The Orlando Sentinel, The Chicago Tribune, and other newspapers; publisher, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel; winner, National Conference for Community & Justice Silver Medallion and Urban League Diversity Champion; founder and CEO ChicagoLand Television News (owned by Chicago Tribune).
Trish Jones
Former senior vice president and chief emerging technologies officer at Turner Broadcasting System in Atlanta, executive vice president and general counsel of Turner Broadcasting International, and deputy general counsel of the Turner organization. A graduate of Spring Hill College and the University of Richmond School of Law, she earned a master’s degree in international law at Georgetown University Law Center.
Kay Murray
As a media lawyer with Baron Harris Healey in New York City, Kay focuses on issues including libel, privacy, copyright, and newsgathering. She previously was Vice President, Law for First Look Institute; former Assistant General Counsel at Tribune Publishing; and General Counsel of the Authors Guild. She is a graduate of Xavier University and the Northwestern University School of Law.