Akron Beacon Journal / Columbus Dispatch

With 30 years of editing experience across Ohio, Michael Shearer currently serves as editor of the Akron Beacon Journal and regional editor for Gannett’s USA TODAY Network in northern Ohio. He’s responsible for coordinating newsrooms in 5 markets beyond Akron, including Canton, Kent, Alliance and Massillon.

This is actually his last week at the Beacon Journal as he will begin a new role on Jan. 8 as executive editor of The Columbus Dispatch.

Originally from Central Ohio, Shearer moved to northeast Ohio in 2017 to serve as regional editor for GateHouse Media, which acquired the Beacon Journal in 2018 and merged with Gannett in December 2019.

Shearer previously served as Executive Editor of the Media Network of Central Ohio, a group of 10 daily Gannett Co. media sites, from 2009 to 2016 while also serving as the top editor of The Advocate in Newark, Ohio, from 2000 to 2016.

A graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Shearer has won numerous personal awards for editorial writing.

He is married to Greta and they have two adult sons. He enjoys travelling, playing golf, watching sports and took up running during the pandemic.

He was recently named executive editor of The Columbus Dispatch.