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First Posted: 7/22/2013
Abington Journal Editor Kristie Grier Ceruti, 42, has resigned to accept a position as Manager of Annual Giving at Johnson College in Scranton. Joe Butkiewicz, Vice President and Executive Editor of The Times Leader and associated weekly publications including the Abington Journal, made the announcement on Monday.
Ceruti first worked at The Times Leader in 1992 and after a time away in 2005-2006 returned to oversee the Abington Journal on an impressive run, developing significant presence in the community and leading the paper to four consecutive wins in the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association’s Keystone Awards sweepstakes for papers of similar size.
Butkiewicz reflected on Ceruti’s tenure with the company.
“I asked Kristie to return to the company to be editor of the Abington Journal knowing her exuberant personality, entrepreneurial spirit and professionalism would be assets for a leader to improve the paper,” Butkiewicz said. “I had big expectations and she exceeded them. Kristie made the paper integral to the community.”
A Hazleton native, Ceruti serves as board secretary of Leadership Lackawanna, a board member of the Abington Business and Professional Association and judge for the local round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She earned her bachelor of science degree in marketing from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. She resides in Old Forge with her husband Matt and daughter GiGi, 1.
“It’s no secret where the success of the paper starts,” Abington Journal Staff Writer Robert Tomkavage said. “Kristie’s expertise has played an integral role in my progression as a writer. She is always quick with a compliment and has been a steadying influence during a time of transition within the paper.”
According to Butkiewicz, the editor position will be filled. He plans to make an announcement this week. Reporter/Photographers Rob Tomkavage and Elizabeth Baumeister can be reached daily at the office at 211 S. State St.
In tabloid or broadsheet format, with pages black and white or color, The Abington Journal has been delivering news since 1947. Today it is part of Civitas Media, which owns 35 daily newspaper, 28 weekend editions and 53 weekly publications in 11 states with a combined circulation of nearly 1.6 million. Locally, its papers include Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, The Sunday Dispatch in Pittston, The Dallas Post, The Weekender and The Abington Journal.