The Champlain Valley Newspaper Group has announced two promotions within its ranks that will strengthen its three weekly newspapers in the region.
Co-publishers Emerson, Angelo and Suzanne Lynn have tapped Milton Independent editor/reporter Courtney Lamdin to serve as executive editor of the Indy, Colchester Sun and Essex Reporter. Indy reporter Abby Ledoux was promoted to associate editor of the three papers.
The leadership change comes after the Reporter and Sun’s editor/co-publisher Maria Archangelo, with Lynn Publications since last April, announced her departure to take a publishing position in her home city of Philadelphia.
“This is a great opportunity for Courtney, Abby and the readers of all three papers in our group,” co-publisher Emerson Lynn said. “With their leadership and direction, we look forward to Milton, Essex and Colchester becoming a powerhouse for news in Chittenden County.”
In her new role, Lamdin, 28, will oversee the editorial direction of all three products and continue reporting on local news. Ledoux will also report news and also collaborate on editorial ideas and help produce and design a handful of special sections for all three papers.
Lamdin started her journalistic career with CVNG in 2009 after graduating from St. Michael’s College with highest honors. Starting as a reporter, she quickly moved up the ladder once Indy founder/editor Lynn Delaney retired in December 2010.
An award-winning journalist both regionally and statewide, Lamdin has collaborated in redesigning the Indy’s print and web products, led the establishment of two local events with one forthcoming and cemented community relationships that result in hyperlocal, quality reporting for one of Vermont’s fastest growing towns.
Lamdin also serves as the northwest representative on the Vermont Press Association board and as a business representative on Milton’s Economic Development Commission. She also taught newspaper production as an adjunct professor at her alma mater in 2010-11.
Both Lamdin and Ledoux are fellows of the New England First Amendment Coalition, a program that develops reporters’ investigative skills.
Ledoux, 23, graduated summa cum laude in December 2013 from Emerson College’s journalism program in Boston. There, she covered campus news for the school’s website and various newsletters, produced and hosted an award-winning weekly political talk radio show and wrote several local pieces for Boston.com.
Post-grad, Ledoux returned to her hometown of Georgia to accept a reporting position at the Indy in March 2014. Since then, her work has taken her everywhere from a hot air balloon ride over Milton to the national press box at a rally for presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders. Her coverage of Somali refugees and the development of a local nature trail was awarded in regional competition.
Besides her reporting, Ledoux has also executed the Indy’s production design for the last two years.
All free weeklies, the Milton Independent, Colchester Sun and Essex Reporter, combined serve more than 50,000 citizens in their circulation area, specializing in coverage of school and town news, events and local personalities.
The Champlain Valley Newspaper Group is comprised of the St. Albans Messenger, Milton Independent, Colchester Sun, Essex Reporter and Addison Independent.