Eric Mandel is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native who graduated with a degree in Journalism and Sports Studies at the University of Iowa. His 15-plus years as a journalist include multiple state and national awards. He was recognized as a finalist for the Washington Newspaper Publishers' News Writer of the Year in 2014. He moved here from Seattle in 2017 and served as managing editor of Atlanta Business Chronicle. He joined the AJC in June 2024.