Ben Trollinger, editor-in-chief for the Summit Daily News over the past six years, will be stepping down next month to become the editor of Acres U.S.A., a national magazine covering organic and sustainable farming.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a real privilege to have been a steward of this institution for the past six years,\u201d Trollinger said. \u201cThe newspaper turns 30 this year, and there\u2019s been a long line of editors who did great work and were dedicated to the community. I feel lucky \u2026 to be part of that tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trollinger said that as much as he loved overseeing Summit\u2019s newsroom, his new position is a one-of-a-kind job that combines his journalism experience and his personal values. When the position at Acres U.S.A. opened up, he felt compelled to throw his hat in the ring.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because it aligns my skills as an editor with my passion for regenerative agriculture,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Trollinger began his tenure at the Summit Daily back in 2012. Before that, he was a reporter and editor at the Williamson County Sun in Georgetown, Texas, for nine years.<\/p>\n
\u201cMoving to the mountains from Texas was everything I hoped it would be,\u201d Trollinger said. \u201cIt was sort of a leap of faith when I came here 6 years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Trollinger said he felt the community embraced and encouraged him along the way, and for that he is thankful.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver time, as each year passed, I felt more and more accepted by community,\u201d Trollinger said.<\/p>\n
Luckily, Trollinger will be staying in Summit County when he switches jobs. In fact, he will still have an office in the Summit Daily, across the floor from where he ran the newsroom for six years.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s not the only familiar aspect of his new role. Acres U.S.A. is owned by the Summit Daily\u2019s parent company, Swift Communications, and Trollinger will be working with Ryan Slabaugh, current general manager at Acres and a former editor of the Summit Daily. Trollinger will also be working with former Summit Daily assistant editor Jessica Smith.<\/p>\n
Trollinger will start transitioning to his new role this month and next before moving to Acres full-time in June. Publisher Meg Boyer is heading up the search for a new editor.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen has done a tremendous job leading the Summit Daily newsroom,\u201d she said. \u201cSome of the newspaper\u2019s best work came during his time at the helm, including the Whiteout skier death series<\/a> and The Longevity Project<\/a>. Ben leaves big shoes to fill but I\u2019m excited for him and for the team at Acres U.S.A., where I\u2019m confident Ben will continue to produce journalism that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n