Ruston Daily Leader announces new Editor
Returning to the city where his career began, Brian Trahan has been named Editor of the Ruston Daily Leader, effective immediately.
A 1993 graduate of Louisiana Tech University in journalism, Trahan continues a long and accomplished career in newspapers after completing a stint in Sulphur at the Southwest Daily News.
“We are pleased to announce the addition of Brian to our staff,” Daily Leader Publisher Crystal Richard said. “He possesses many years of experience in Louisiana journalism — honing his skills first here in Ruston. Brian is a professional, first and foremost, but he has also immersed himself into every community in which he has resided. That’s what makes this an important hire for us.”
Trahan said he is thrilled to return to Ruston.
“I consider this city and this parish my second home,” he said. “My four years of college will always be a spectacular memory for me. I had the pleasure of working with, and learning from, so many people who sculpted me into a professional. I am determined to utilize my years of experience to enhance what I consider to be one of the outstanding publications in this state.”
Trahan began his newspaper career as a sports editor at the Jennings Daily News, the sister paper of the Daily Leader. Upon completing training, he moved on to South Padre Island, Texas, as publisher of the Port Isabel Press and South Padre Parade magazine.
He returned to Louisiana in 2002 as Sports Editor of the Leesville Daily Leader, where he also served as General Manager and Publisher. After nine years, Trahan was transferred to Sulphur as Regional Editor for GateHouse Media’s six Louisiana newspapers.
“This state is truly a large pot of gumbo,” Trahan said. “The culture, the people, the places and the landscape are the ingredients to an amazing, unique experience. It has been my honor to work in so many corners of Louisiana. But Ruston holds my heart. From the first day I began working as a student at the Louisiana Tech Sports Information Office, I became a sponge.
“I had the benefit of learning from legendary mentors such as the late Daily Leader Sports Editor O.K. ‘Buddy’ Davis, Keith Prince and North Louisiana legend Wiley Hilburn,” Trahan continued. “There isn’t a day that passes that I don’t utilize the knowledge these men passed on to me. I look forward to dedicating myself to the Daily Leader and Lincoln Parish to give our readers the best newspaper each and every day. I am blessed to be joining an incredible staff.”
Trahan became a student assistant at Tech Sports Information under Prince in 1989 and worked there until graduation in May of 1993. Along the way, he also covered sports for the Daily Leader and The Tech Talk, the student newspaper at Louisiana Tech. In 1993 he was named the recipient of the Wiley W. Hilburn Award for the Outstanding Student Journalist.
During his 28-year career in the newspaper industry, Trahan has won over 100 awards from the Louisiana Press Association and Associated Press. He led the Southwest Daily News to three consecutive Newspaper of the Year Awards.
“The most meaningful reward for a journalist is not recognition, but knowing he or she has done the best job in getting the news to the public in a professional and timely manner,” Trahan said. “That’s when I feel I’ve won. When I meet you in town and you are happy with our publication … that’s better than anything.”
Trahan invites the public to contact him any time at the Daily Leader office (318-255-4353), Monday through Friday.
