A senior editor and veteran journalist at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, James Mallory, announced his retirement today after a 30-year career in journalism.
Mallory, 56, is senior managing editor at the newspaper and second in command. A long-time business reporter and business editor, Mallory helped guide the AJC through the turmoil that roiled the newspaper industry as advertising revenues shrank and the paper cut staff to pare expenses.
Kevin Riley, the AJC's editor, credited Mallory with helping rebuild the AJC into a stronger newspaper and boosting its credibility among readers.
"He’s been a trusted adviser and steady hand who faced the most demanding changes and situations with determination and fearlessness," Riley said. "He has made us better journalists and the AJC a better newspaper."
Mallory, a Detroit native, joined the AJC in 1988 and held a number of key roles and ascended management ranks. He was the assistant business editor, news personnel manager, night assistant managing editor, AME/Business and deputy managing editor/Metro & Business. He was named a managing editor in 2002, the first African American to hold the position at the AJC. He became senior managing editor/vice president in 2007.
"I’m leaving the AJC, my second home for nearly a quarter century, positive about the strength of the organization and the direction of the newspaper," Mallory said Thursday. "I’ve worked with a lot of talented journalists over the last couple of decades who in their own ways brought a unique passion of journalism to this newspaper. The talented journalists at the AJC today are on the cutting edge of the changes that will sustain our profession for many years to come."
Within Cox Enterprises, which owns The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mallory was a member of the Cox Diversity Advisory Group and other national diversity and leadership committees. Over his long career, Mallory developed a reputation as a caring mentor who helped the careers of many reporters and editors.
"James has never lost sight of the people that mattered most -- our editors, our reporters, our photographers, and, of course, our readers," said Riley.
Mallory and his wife, Frances, live in Marietta, and the couple have two grown children, the youngest of whom graduates from college next month.
About the Author
