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Sackariason leaving Aspen Daily News for radio job

Karl Herchenroeder
The Aspen Times

Aspen Daily New executive editor Carolyn Sackariason is leaving the newspaper for a news director job with Aspen Public Radio.

Both organizations confirmed the move Friday shortly after Sackariason tendered her resignation at the paper where she has served as editor since 2010.

“Carolyn Sackariason is a very talented editor and a very hard worker. She’ll be difficult to replace,” said David Cook, interim publisher at the Daily News. “I wish her nothing but the best on her future endeavors.”



Executive Director at Aspen Public Radio Carolyne Heldman said the organization has admired Sackariason’s stewardship at the Daily News for a long time.

“We thought she really had her eye on the community with news that really matters to the community,” Heldman said, adding that Sackariason was the radio station’s first choice.



Though she wouldn’t discuss financial details of the hiring, the station’s November job advertisement listed the salary between $55,000 and $65,000. Heldman said the 46-yeard-old Sackariason will oversee the station’s website and daily news content, while managing two reporters and a digital-content manager. Sackariason also will produce two 30-minute programs, “Valley Roundup” and “Mountain Edition.” Heldman expects Sackariason to begin in mid-January.

“It’s quite similar to what she did at the Daily News, just for radio instead,” Heldman said.

When asked if the station anticipates becoming more competitive in the breaking-news realm, Heldman said, “I would not say that, but what I would say is we just hope to really serve our listeners and our entire community of listeners who care about news.”

The station fielded 13 candidates for the position and interviewed five, Heldman said.

Describing Aspen’s news community as tight-knit, Cook said the Daily News will look to replace Sackariason with someone who knows the community, its politics and its personalities well.

“I’m certain that person exists,” Cook said. “What it looks like, it’s a little too early to tell at this point.”

Cook acknowledged that Sackariason has dedicated a lot of years with Daily News owner Dave Danforth, who also runs a California publication with Sackariason.

“She made a decision, and I honor that and respect her decision and wish her nothing but the best,” Cook said.

Before joining the Daily News in 2010, Sackariason covered business and Aspen City Hall for the Aspen Times for three years. Sackariason replaces former news director Roger Adams, who left the position about six weeks ago.

Sackariason will also oversee local newscasts during National Public Radio shows “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” as well as all live broadcasts and re-broadcasts of lectures, concerts and panel discussions from the Aspen Institute, the Aspen Music Festival and School and original Aspen Public Radio programming. She is expected to participate in regional news collaborations with other public radio stations in the state and serve as the news department’s liaison at public events.

Sackariason could not be reached for comment.

herk@aspentimes.com


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