2016 Panelist: Kathy Spurlock

 

Kathy Spurlock is the general manager and executive editor of The News-Star Media Group.

Spurlock started her career at The News-Star in 1975 after interning at The Times in Shreveport, and was promoted to various mid-level editor positions in the news departments of both The News-Star and the former Monroe Morning World.

In 1982, she became editor of Louisiana Suburban Press in Baker, and moved in 1985 to the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate, serving in various editing positions there.

In 1989, she returned to Gannett Co., Inc., as metro editor of The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi. She was promoted to publisher/weeklies and new ventures before returning to The News-Star in 1995 as executive editor.

Under her leadership, The News-Star newsroom has transformed from a once-daily print publication to a multi-platform digital and print information center.

The News-Star has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally for its freedom of information initiatives, investigative reporting, commentary, innovation, economic development, public service and community service work. She also is an award-winning writer for editorial commentary and columns, as well as a published author and songwriter.

She is the former president of the Louisiana/Mississippi APME board of directors and a member of the Louisiana Press Association's Freedom of Information Committee, after having served as chairman for a number of years. She has served on the national board of the American Society of News Editors and as an ASNE Distinguished Writing Awards juror.

Locally, she is the past president of the Twin City Art Foundation Board of Trustees and a member of the board of directors of the United Way of Northeast Louisiana and Goodfellows. She has served in various capacities on the boards of United Way, Public Affairs Research Council, Strauss Theatre, Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, Salvation Army and Med Camps of Louisiana, as well as in advisory capacities for the Junior League of Monroe and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.

Memberships include PAWS of Northeast Louisiana, Monroe Garden Club, Northeast Louisiana Rose Society, Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association, ULM Alumni Association and ULM Athletic Foundation. She is a graduate of Leadership Louisiana.

Spurlock is a 1975 graduate of Louisiana Tech University, with a Bachelors of Art in Journalism. In 2002 she was recognized by Louisiana Tech University as the Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Liberal Arts.

She is married to Lindsey Wilkerson, technology and communication liaison at the University of Louisiana Monroe, is the mother of Anne Spurlock Perrone, and grandmother to Kaylin Morrow Perrone and Grant Michael Perrone.