Demopolis Times staff report

Demopolis Times Publisher Sheila Haydel is happy to announce that John Gullion was named managing editor of The Times on Monday.

Gullion, a native of North Carolina who grew up in Indiana, has been the managing editor of The Selma Times-Journal for a year.

“We’re very excited to have John join The Times newsroom,” Haydel said. “In my talks with our readers I have heard several requests, including more Demopolis news, more positive news and better regional coverage.

I believe John is the person to help us achieve those goals.”

Gullion, who attended the University of Tennessee, worked in Selma for two and a half years.

He began his career in Selma as sports editor.

After a year, he was promoted to news editor and six months later became managing editor.

“I’m very excited to join the staff of The Demopolis Times,” Gullion said. “I look forward to working with them and my wife and I look forward to becoming part of this community.

Serving Demopolis while helping The Times continue to make regionalism a reality is an opportunity that I relish.”

Gullion, who got his career start in community journalism, says he looks forward to fulfilling the needs of a community newspaper.

“As I drive around town and see all the Demopolis football signs in the yards and store windows, I can see a community that has a sense of pride in itself,” Gullion said. “It’s going to be fun to be part of that atmosphere.”

Gullion spent three and a half years in East Tennessee working for the Monroe County Advocate&Democrat as a government affairs reporter and sports editor.

In Selma, Gullion covered everything from recreation league football to city and county government, economic development and schools.

“Working for a community newspaper, you have to be able to wear a lot of different hats,” Gullion said. “One day you’re interviewing a mayor, the next you’re standing in the rain trying to get a good picture of a little league game. That’s the challenge and the joy of the work. I look forward to providing that wide variety of coverage to Marengo, Perry, Sumter, Greene and Hale counties.”