Staff Reports
Tom Jekel, 66, an award-winning editor and publishing executive, and who has guided The Republic’s news operation since 2012, is retiring after a 43-year career in journalism.
The effective date of Jekel’s retirement is today.
“Tom Jekel is the consummate publishing professional: extremely knowledgeable and deeply experienced; dedicated to the communities he serves and the fellow staffers he directs; always fair, honest and balanced in his work; steady and dependable,” said Jeremy L. Halbreich, chairman and chief executive officer, AIM Media Indiana. “It has been our true pleasure to work with Tom over the past three years and I know well he has engendered these same accolades and measures of respect throughout his distinguished career.”
“I have the upmost respect for his leadership, thoughtfulness and commitment to our industry, to this company and to this community,” said Chuck Wells, recently departed publisher at The Republic, and vice president and group publisher for AIM Media Indiana.
Days after his college graduation, on Jan. 2, 1976, Jekel launched a professional career that would take him to newspapers in seven different cities in Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
The biggest share of his career has been in Indiana, beginning as editor of the Noblesville Ledger and Topics Newspapers from 1993 to 2001. Jekel was named general manager in 2001, and in 2006 was promoted to general manager/community newspapers for Indianapolis Star Media, parent company of the Fishers-based community newspaper group.
From there, he spent three years as publisher and editor of The Times-Reporter in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
He returned to Indiana to join The Republic as editor on Aug. 20, 2012.
Tom and his wife Diane live in Hope on Schaefer Lake, where they will continue to reside.
A search for his successor is underway. In the interim, all contacts regarding news and editorial coverage should be directed to Kirk Johannesen at [email protected] or to Julie McClure at [email protected], both assistant managing editors at The Republic.
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Journalism career: Began working in newspapers Jan. 2, 1976. Over a 43-year career, worked for weekly and daily newspapers in his home state of Wisconsin, and later at daily newspapers in Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Editor of the Republic since Aug. 20, 2012. He retires as editor today.
Recognition:
- The Republic was named General Excellence winner in the Hoosier State Press Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest in each full contest year in which Jekel was editor, 2014-2018.
- While he was in charge of the Noblesville Ledger, it was twice recognized as the Blue Ribbon Newspaper by the Hoosier State Press Association (2004, best non-daily; and 2008, best daily).
Industry involvement: In 1999, served as president of the Indiana Associated Press Managing Editors Association and was on the board of directors for 10 years. Since 2015, he has served on the Indiana Debate Commission. Helped plan and lead industry training programs.
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, 1975
Personal: He and wife Diane live in Hope and have five adult children.
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