Daniel Evans has been named president of Valley Newsmedia, LLC and editor and publisher of The Valley Times-News and its affiliated publications in print and digital.

Evans replaces Baker Ellis, who is leaving at the end of July to begin working with a nonprofit organization in Birmingham, Alabama.

Evans has served as the managing editor of The Valley Times-News since October 2018.

His work in helping redesign the newspaper and adding more local news and opinion content led the Times-News to take home four awards in the Alabama Press Association’s 2019 Better Newspaper Contest. In his time as editor, new magazine products have also been released and a heavy influence has been placed on quality of content

“I’m thankful for this opportunity and look forward to expanding my role at The Times-News,” Evans said. “I have enjoyed the time I have spent in the Valley community, and I plan to work hard and build on the work we’re already doing and make sure we meet and exceed the expectations of our readers and customers.”

“This has been a very challenging decision for me to make,” Ellis said of his decision.

“We’re leaving to answer a call I have had placed on my heart to serve in a unique role elsewhere, and while we are confident in the decision we have made, we are sad to say goodbye to a community we have come to love. The Greater Valley Area has been a tremendous place to work, and I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to impact the newspaper here. My time in this community has been immeasurably blessed by the people I have had the chance to work and live alongside, and that is thanks to the kindness of those I have come to know.”

“Daniel has earned this promotion, by his good work and by partnering with Baker in the beginning of his role in LaGrange followed by much good work on The Valley Times-News.  He was instrumental with Baker in recent recognition of the Georgia Press Association naming The LaGrange Daily News the best newspaper in its size range.  I know that Daniel will work hard with those he and we work with at The Times-News to be judged likewise by the Georgia Press as well as the Alabama Press Association.  They each grew from working with one another, with a new friendship coming over time,” said Jim Boone, chairman of Boone Newspapers, “We brought Baker to The Valley Times-News and later Daniel.  Daniel’s Boone work prior to LaGrange was in Selma, AL, where he earned the opportunity to join Baker in LaGrange and later Valley,” Boone said.

“Our loss of Baker is a loss to the publishing profession of a bright mind, a hard worker and a man very sensitive to those he works with and the communities he serves.  But I expect he has made the right decision and for those he will serve in a new career based in Birmingham,” Boone said. “When we brought Baker to LaGrange several months after acquiring The Daily News, it was not then the quality news product it has become and been recognized as.  We join Baker in appreciation of many people in LaGrange and Valley who worked with him in the communities in the beginning, and the many of those who became his and our friends. Should Baker later find a call back to publishing, I hope his first call will be to us, as we would work hard to find a place for him.”

Ellis will continue to work alongside Evans through July 26, when a transition will fully take place.