Oklahoma Watch has announced that David Fritze will be retiring as Executive Editor later this year.
“It’s been a great pleasure and a privilege to lead this organization,” said Fritze, who retires after more than four decades in the news business and more than seven years at Oklahoma Watch.
Fritze has served as Executive Editor of Oklahoma Watch since 2012. Previously, Fritze was a senior editor with The Arizona Republic for two decades. Under Fritze’s leadership, Oklahoma Watch has won numerous awards; expanded fundraising and distribution; fostered collaborations with other news organizations; moved into multimedia, and hosted many public forums on important issues in our state.
Oklahoma Watch Board Chair Joe Hight said, “We are extremely grateful to David for his leadership. He has built an award-winning, nonprofit news organization that is known for its balanced, fair and accurate investigative journalism.”
“I want to thank all of the people on our team – our journalists, editors, board members, leadership group and many support specialists, whether in data, visuals, social media or forums. Not to mention our funders, followers and media partners. You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Oklahoma Watch has made a difference for the better, convincingly showing that fact-driven, investigative journalism is essential for our state. I will miss it, but I also know that we have created momentum for its growth that is stronger than ever,” said Fritze.
To further the organization’s continued growth, the board has decided to re-structure Oklahoma Watch’s organizational structure and is seeking both an Executive Director and an Executive Editor to fill Fritze’s shoes.
Hight said, “We are seeking leaders who can be part of the fast-changing and experimental landscape that nonprofit journalism offers. We want Oklahoma Watch to be known for its high-quality content and its innovation and collaboration. We want it to be an organization that Oklahomans and those who live outside this state are talking about consistently.”
Hight has created two search committees comprised of board members. Tulsa businessman Vince LaVoi is chair of the Executive Director search committee. There also will be a chair of the Executive Editor search.
Oklahoma Watch has engaged The Mettise Group to lead the search for both positions. Applications will be accepted through the end of February. Inquiries about the position can be directed to Danielle Ezell at 405.206.6417 or okwatchjobs@mettise.com. The position descriptions and instructions on how to apply can be found at oklahomawatch.org.
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For Additional Information Contact:
Joe Hight
Board Chair
405.640.3466
Jhight1958@gmail.com
