EAST LONGMEADOW — Longtime journalist Chris Maza has been named executive editor of Reminder Publishing, giving him overall editorial responsibility for the group’s eight newspapers, two magazines and numerous specialty publications.
Maza, 42, was named interim editor earlier this year when Payton North, the previous executive editor, left the organization for a job with the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.
He began his career with The Reminder in 2010 as assistant managing editor, leaving the newspaper group in 2017 to pursue a communications career in higher education.
Maza returned to journalism in 2019 as editor of the Westfield News Group but found himself back at The Reminder when it purchased the Westfield publisher that same year.
“It was a roundabout way to find my way back home,” he said. “I’m grateful to the powers that be for putting their trust in me. It’s gratifying, because there has been such a long history with me and this company and these communities. This is a new way for me to serve these cities and towns.”
While newspapers remain the foundation of Reminder Publishing, Maza said he wants to continue strong programming on the company’s podcast — “So That Reminds Me” — which features interviews with local newsmakers.
He also plans to strengthen the newspapers’ presence on social media.
“We’re trying to be more engaging. We’re diversifying how we’re presenting information, but with it all leading back to our publications, which are our bread and butter and the backbone of what we do here,” he said.
Curtis Panlilio, chief revenue officer and technology manager for Reminder Publishing, said the company was “thrilled by Chris’ promotion.”
“The Reminder has been very fortunate to have many of its leadership team develop and rise through the ranks. Chris exemplifies this, and I’m proud of what he has and will accomplish as executive editor,” said Panlilio. “We look forward to his continuing success with The Reminder.”
Maza started out his career as a beat reporter covering the suburbs of Springfield. It is where he learned to appreciate people and their stories, and he plans to continue embedding reporters in communities across Western Massachusetts, he said.
“There’s probably not anywhere in our coverage area that I haven’t had my fingerprints on at some point,” he said. “We really get to know our communities, and they get to know us. When you have that deeper understanding of how a community works, when issues come up, you have a better understanding of how they impact people.”
Maza now runs a staff of four editors, six full-time writers and more than a dozen freelance correspondents and photographers.
A married father of a 7-year-old daughter and, as a lifelong resident of the region, Maza said readers are concerned about everything from local schools and government to whether their road is going to be the next one paved.
“They want to know where their property taxes are going and how (municipal) projects are going to impact their bottom line,” he said. “We’re reporting on the people who run and make up these communities. We’re going beyond just covering local government. We’re telling stories about people who are the fabric of the communities.”
