Yuma Sun announces new editor

Roxanne Molenar, assignments editor for the Yuma Sun, has been named to replace longtime editor Terry Ross, who is retiring effective Dec. 28.

An Ohio native, Molenar is a graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.

Molenar started at the Yuma Sun as a copy editor in February of 1998. She then became the copy desk chief, a position she held for more than 10 years before moving over to the assignments desk, where she currently manages a team of six reporters.

Applications for a new editor were sought locally, within the Freedom newspapers group and nationwide. “Roxanne was clearly the best choice,” Ross said.

Publisher Joni Brooks said she's pleased to be able to promote from within the newspaper. “Terry Ross has done a great job mentoring Roxanne and she will fill his shoes very capably. She'll also bring some fresh ideas and a new energy to the job, and everyone will benefit from that.”

Brooks noted that in Molenar's various positions with the newspaper, she has gained a broad knowledge of what needs to be done to produce the Yuma Sun's publications in print and online each day.

“That has given her great experience to lead the department,” Brooks said. “In addition, she and her husband own a local business, she's very involved in the community and she has a child in the school system. She's become a Yuman and as such she shares the same concerns that our readers and residents have for our community.”

Through that involvement, Molenar has developed a wide range of community contacts, and represents the Yuma Sun well in the community, Brooks said.

“She is also very active with social media and has been at the forefront in helping to develop our very strong online and mobile presence. I'm comfortable that she can continue to lead that effort.”

Ross has been with the Yuma Sun for more than 30 years, and has held the editor position since 1983. He will be ending his career in journalism with distinction. The Yuma Sun recently was named the 2012 Better Newspaper Contest Daily Newspaper of the Year by the Arizona Newspapers Association. In addition, Ross received first place for Editorial Page Excellence.

Ross expressed confidence that he will be leaving the newspaper in good hands. “I'm happy after being responsible for the newspaper news operation for so many years to turn it over to someone who is equally as capable of handling the job. I'm sure she will be a great editor. And community news will continue to be a priority. That will continue to be the case no matter how technology changes.”

He said he and Molenar are now in a transition phase as she receives instruction in her new administrative duties and gradually moves into a greater role as editor.

“I'm very excited for this opportunity,” Molenar said. “It's a new challenge, one I'm looking forward to. Our commitment to reporting the news and supporting the community will not change. Terry Ross has set a terrific framework for me to follow, and I'm looking forward to helping Sun Media continue to grow and evolve.”

She continued: “Terry has been an excellent mentor to me. I've worked with him for 14 years, and his presence will be missed.”

Ross said he is looking forward to his retirement and moving into a new era of his life. But he expects he will continue to do some writing.

An open house will be held on Dec. 12 to wish Ross farewell and welcome Molenar to her new role with the newspaper.

“It's been a real pleasure to work with Terry,” Brooks concluded. “He's a true professional who has done a marvelous job creating a newspaper that is focused on Yuma County and its citizens. He'll be missed.”

Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853. Find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YSJoyceLobeck or on Twitter at @YSJoyceLobeck.