Register executive editor Amalie Nash takes new job with USA TODAY Network
Amalie Nash, the Register’s executive editor and vice president for news and engagement, has been promoted to a new role in Gannett as West Region executive editor.
In her new position, Nash will oversee about 50 news organizations in the Midwest and the west side of the country, working closely with the just named East Region executive editor, Manny Garcia.
The new role with the USA TODAY Network aims to better align the organization's newsrooms to elevate their journalism and encourage more collaboration, Nash said.
Nash, who has served as the Register’s executive editor since January 2014, has focused heavily on watchdog reporting and innovation.
She advocated for changes to Iowa’s public records laws and spearheaded a push for access to public records, including two lawsuits seeking records in high-profile cases. She also was one of the editors of the award-winning project “Harvest of Change,” the first virtual reality news project in the country to be designed for the Oculus Rift platform.
Nash oversaw the Register's award-winning coverage of the 2016 Iowa caucuses, which broke digital traffic records and saw the organization launch new initiatives such as public forums and mock caucuses.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with such a talented, dedicated staff. Whether they’re on a high school football field on a Friday night, out on the campaign trail or at a city council meeting, our journalists are working tirelessly for our readers,” Nash said.
“On a personal note, I have immense gratitude for people both inside the newsroom and out in the community who welcomed me to Iowa and made the last two and a half years so rewarding. I’m excited to take on a new role in the company to help shape the future of the USA TODAY Network, but my heart will always be in the newsroom.”
Register Publisher David Chivers said Nash's talent, dedication and leadership have led to better access to public records in Iowa and more innovation and watchdog journalism at the Register.
“She will be missed,” Chivers said. “But, we’re excited to have an advocate at the USA TODAY Network that understands the power, perspective and depth that our newsroom can contribute to broader national conversations that impact the daily lives of Iowans.”
Randy Lovely, vice president of community news for The USA TODAY Network, said Nash's leadership in Des Moines has prepared her for the new role.
"The work published under her leadership shows the sophistication that is required of today’s newsrooms,” Lovely said. “The Register has historically dominated with its political coverage, but during this election cycle they added many smart, interactive elements to engage new audiences."
Carol Hunter, the Register’s news director, will serve as interim editor until Nash’s replacement is hired. Hunter has been with the Register since 2004 and previously served as interim editor before Nash joined the organization.
Nash will oversee the hiring of her replacement.
The location of Nash's new position has not been determined.
A Michigan native, Nash came to the Register from the Detroit Free Press, a member of the USA TODAY Network, where she served as assistant managing editor for metro-state news. She directed coverage of critical local issues including Detroit’s historic bankruptcy filing and the former mayor’s public corruption trial.
Before joining the Free Press, Nash worked for AnnArbor.com and the Ann Arbor News.
Nash is involved in several professional organizations, including serving as a Pulitzer Prize judge for the past two years, a Knight Foundation News Challenge judge (and grant winner), a National Press Foundation awards judge, vice president of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council and board member of the Iowa Newspaper Association Government Relations Committee.
Nash has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in social sciences, both from Eastern Michigan University. She also taught journalism courses at EMU for several years.