Vineyard Gazette, Iconic Community Weekly, Names New Editor

Cara Erickson, president of media executive search firm NewCoordinates, LLC , has partnered with the Vineyard Gazette to recruit Brian Boyd as its next Editor, effective this month.

The Gazette, which still publishes its signature broadsheet paper at his historic headquarters in Edgartown, is regarded as one of the leading community journalism organizations in the country. It enjoys a storied 176-year history of reporting on the year round news, life, culture, and people of Martha’s Vineyard and has been the launchpad for many talented young reporters who’ve gone on to careers in some of the nation’s most prestigious newsrooms. Boyd succeeds longtime editor Julia Wells, and is only the 10th editor in the Gazette’s history.

Brian Boyd joins the Gazette from Shore Publishing on the Connecticut coast, where he was responsible for overseeing seven local weekly newspapers, websites, and specialty publications covering New England towns including Madison, Guilford, East Haven, and Essex. A graduate of Yale University, he joined Shore as a part-time reporter while in college and rose to Editor as the company expanded its products and reach, ultimately building a 22-year management career with the company.

In announcing Boyd’s appointment, Gazette publisher Jane Seagrave notes, ‘His experience covering 13 very different New England towns has remarkable parallels, and he brings a native curiosity, a love of nature and a commitment to the highest standards of news reporting.” Brian and his wife Marisa will become year round residents of the Vineyard.