David Dahl, a veteran journalist with experience in Boston, Florida and Washington, D.C., has been named editor of The Maine Monitor.
Dahl, who most recently was a deputy managing editor at the Boston Globe and was part of a team that repositioned the Globe for its digital future, said the Monitor’s mission of delivering fearless, independent journalism drew him to the role.
He will start today. He succeeds Eric Conrad, who oversaw publication of several high-profile stories, including one that revealed a controversial practice of sharing recordings of phone calls inmates had with their lawyers, another on the discovery of one of the world’s richest lithium deposits in Maine, and another on nursing home staff shortages.
“The Monitor’s reporters have done tremendous work and it is in a position to do even more, thanks to the strong leadership of editor Eric Conrad, the foundation laid by previous editor Dan Dinsmore, and the dedication of its board members,’’ Dahl said. “I’ve been focused on ensuring the future of journalism for several years now, and I’ve already seen how much The Monitor and its staff care about important stories and creating a sustainable model to support the enterprise. It’s great to be part of that effort.’’
He encouraged readers to support Monitor journalism by making a tax deductible donation and by signing up for The Monitor’s newsletters.
The Monitor also increased the size of its board to seven members. Connie Sage Conner, a Harpswell resident with extensive experience at The Virginian Pilot in Norfolk, Va., is rejoining the board. Patricia Richardson, who had publishing roles at The Virginian-Pilot, The Capital in Annapolis, Md., and The Day in New London, Conn., is a board newcomer.
Jed Davis, the longtime board chair, said he’s optimistic about the transition.
“It has been a privilege to carry on the mission to provide investigative reporting in Maine,’’ Davis said. “Twelve years ago, the wonderful founders of (Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting), John Christie and Naomi Shalit, career journalists, became very concerned about the deep loss of investigative reporting in our state, and they did something about it. I am excited at the prospect of continuing to work with our excellent staff and new leadership team. I’m confident that Naomi and John’s mission will reach new heights.’’
In his most recent position at the Globe, Dahl was responsible for front-page stories, and involved in strategic planning and personnel matters. He previously was the political editor, supervising coverage of state politics, and was the regional editor, overseeing a network of hyperlocal news sites. Before joining the Globe, Dahl worked for 20 years at the St. Petersburg Times, including several years as its Washington bureau chief. He was a Nieman fellow at Harvard University, a fellow at the Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program at Columbia University, and has been an adjunct professor of journalism at Emerson College, Boston College and Boston University.
He and his wife, Kathy, have spent time in Maine every year since the mid-1980s, and own a home in Friendship. They have two adult children.
