Aaron Kennedy was editor of the Times in Frankfort before coming to the Daily Reporter. (Tom Russo | Daily Reporter)
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — A new editor is taking the reins at the Daily Reporter this week.
Aaron Kennedy is succeeding outgoing editor David Hill, who has led the news staff for 16 years over the course of two stints since 2002. Hill, 63, is retiring after a 38-year career at newspapers in Indiana.
Kennedy most recently worked as editor of The Times in Frankfort, where he single-handedly ran the newsroom.
“I’ve been working solo for two years, so I’m very excited about getting back to working with fellow journalists. It’s like a new lease on life,” said Kennedy, 44, who lives in Brownsburg with his wife, Katie, and their two young children.
With newspaper newsrooms shrinking across the country, Kennedy was excited to see that the Daily Reporter has a staff of journalists with a reputation for covering the community well.
“I knew by coming here I’d get to work with other journalists again, which is very welcome news,” he said.
Bud Hunt, group publisher and vice president of AIM Media Indiana, parent company of the Daily Reporter, praised the outgoing and incoming editors.
“While we celebrate Dave Hill as he moves into life’s next stage, we are extremely glad to welcome Aaron Kennedy as our next newsroom leader. Aaron brings a solid background in community journalism and a passion for telling our stories. Aaron’s past experience shows he understands what it takes to deliver timely, informative news to readers and facilitate community discussion about issues that are important to our readers.”
Kennedy’s first day at work was Wednesday, Jan. 26.
As he wrapped up his previous duties in Frankfort over the past few weeks, he’s gradually been getting to know the Hancock County community through online research and conversations with friends.
“Since I’ve told people that I got the job in Greenfield I’ve heard a common thread: All of them have told me just how nice of a town it is. Everybody seems to know somebody who lives in Greenfield,” he said.
While he hasn’t yet had time to get out and explore the city and other parts of the county, Kennedy has gone online to look around on Google Maps.
“I was moving around the downtown, looking at the different storefronts and Courthouse Square. I’m looking forward to checking it all out in person,” he said.
Kennedy’s family is anchored in Brownsburg, where his wife teaches in the alternative learning program at the Brownsburg Community Schools.
Their son Marshall, age 9; and daughter Layla, age 7, also attend Brownsburg schools.
Kennedy and his wife have led somewhat of a nomadic lifestyle in their 11 years of marriage, moving from town to town for various jobs. Where one spouse has found a better opportunity, the other spouse has followed, he said.
A native of Clinton, near Terre Haute, Kennedy was still taking college classes when he landed his first job as sports editor at the Paris Beacon-News in Paris, Illinois, less than 20 miles from his hometown.
He had attended both Indiana State University and Purdue University, studying journalism and photography, and was just a couple classes shy of graduating when the job came along.
He led the Paris Beacon-News sports department for two years until his wife landed a better job in Indianapolis, teaching with the Washington Township schools, so the couple moved to Lebanon.
Kennedy took a job substitute teaching in grades K-12, and was eventually hired as a daily substitute at the middle school where his wife taught.
While he loved the year-plus he spent teaching, Kennedy’s heart remained in the newsroom.
“My mom’s an educator, my dad’s a coach, and my wife’s an educator, but I’m way more comfortable as a journalist,” he said.
In 2011, Kennedy was hired as the sports editor of the Sullivan Daily Times in Sullivan, Indiana, where he worked for more than four years.
When his wife was hired to work in the Brownsburg schools, Kennedy started job-hunting and landed a job as sports editor at The Times newspaper in Frankfort. He rose to the rank of editor in 2018, a position he held until last week.
Now, the seasoned newsman is looking forward to settling into his new role at the Daily Reporter.
“I’m focused on soaking everything up and getting to know every aspect of the community,” Kennedy said last week. “I imagine I’ll be in learning mode the entire first year. Once I have my bearings, then will be the time to kind of look to see what direction we should go.”
