Steven Thomas has been named the new managing editor of the Valley Times-News and its affiliated publications. He replaces Cy Wood, who is no longer with the company. Thomas began work in Lanett on Nov. 27, and will move to the Valley area in the coming weeks.

Thomas, a native of Philadelphia, Miss., spent the past year working for the Gannett Design Studio in Nashville, Tenn. He spent the two years prior in Panama City Beach, Fla., working for the Panama City News Herald as a copy editor and page designer. Prior to his relocation to Panama City Beach, Thomas spent more than four years as a staff reporter for his hometown newspaper, The Neshoba Democrat.

“Steven quickly rose to the top of our list during our search for a long-term managing editor,” Baker Ellis, publisher of the Valley-Times News, said of the new hire. “He’s a skilled and savvy reporter who connects well with everyone he meets, and he will make an immediate and positive impact on our news product. He has a solid background as a reporter, photographer and page designer, and will be able to immediately help us in our efforts to produce an award-winning, daily community newspaper.”

Thomas is a graduate of Mississippi State University, where he graduated with a double-major in journalism and history.

“I’m very excited to be in Lanett and look forward to becoming an invested member of the community,” Thomas said. “Even though I’ve only spent about a day here so far, I can already see the potential for a fun and fulfilling time. The Valley area seems to be in the perfect location for a variety of opportunities and attractions and I anticipate adding to that. I thank the people at The Valley Times-News for giving me this chance and hope to build on my earlier enthusiasm.”

BNI currently owns and manages more 75 community newspapers, and succeeded Nell Walls as the owner of the Valley Times-News in October of 2017.