Community and journalism are intricately intertwined. The best journalists know their local communities and how to serve their needs. That’s exactly how Eric Woomer’s career started: with a connection to his community.
“When I hit community college, I was still unsure what I wanted to do,” he says. “While there, I joined the student-run newspaper, began writing about local controversy, and fell in love.”
From there, Woomer would go on to be a local reporter covering education. Over the years, he grew more and more invested in the communities that he covered. “Local journalism is, to me, critical to our communities,” he says. Eventually, he landed in a leadership role where he now takes a keen interest in helping others succeed.
“I had great teachers over the years, so I really enjoy mentoring,” says Woomer. “Seeing others succeed and move up is incredibly rewarding.”
Woomer is now the Director of Operations for the Center for Community Journalism with Gannett. Here, he talks about his leadership style, what it’s like to work in a newsroom, and shares how sustainability is always on his mind while he’s working.
Tell us about your career journey. What inspired you to pursue a career in journalism? How did you know Gannett would be a good fit?
I grew up wanting to be the president of the United States—no joke. While I was in community college, the school’s president was embroiled in controversy, mainly over massive cuts to teaching positions, staff, and the entire journalism department. I started writing about the topic and never looked back. I still love the politics and drama of breaking news to this day.
I now live in the Central Valley of California—there are more dairy cows than humans. So, I didn’t expect this to be a landing spot, but more of a springboard. However, I quickly realized how fun and impactful local journalism could be. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Gannett has hundreds of local sites, from Detroit to my hometown paper Visalia Times-Delta. Each one matters.
What are you responsible for in your current role and what excites you about the work that you do?
I started out covering education in my local community. I moved beats rather fast and loved coaching new reporters as they came into the newsroom. As the operations director for the Center for Community Journalism (CCJ), I get to help take things off editors’ plates. I’m hands-on in just about everything that I do. That includes mentoring, editing, and managing, which are my favorite. I’ve worked hard to build morale in newsrooms, manage budgets, and push reporters to the next level.
You’ve been at Gannett for almost 15 years and were a multimedia reporter before becoming the senior editor of markets and operations. How does Gannett encourage professional development and career growth? How have you been personally supported and empowered?
I’ve been through several great programs and had numerous opportunities within Gannett. I’ve completed Gannett’s emerging leaders program and continue to serve in a leadership role with Sustainability Forward, one of our employee resource groups (ERGs). Every step of the way, I have been supported and encouraged by my supervisors and company leaders.
How would you define your leadership style? In what ways does your previous career experience influence how you approach leadership today?
I’m light-hearted, human, accepting, and understanding. I feel like sometimes as you get higher in leadership, you forget the steps it took to get there. I try hard not to forget and to put the people first. I want a newsroom that encourages teamwork and collaboration. I have most recently enjoyed a newsroom with a mascot pony (stuffed, don’t worry) and snacks. Ensuring reporters feel supported is key to their success.
As Co-Chair, can you speak a bit about the Sustainability Forward Employee Resource Group (ERG)? Why did you get involved and how has this initiative helped improve or change the company culture?
When I was approached with a leadership opportunity for Sustainability Forward, I knew I would enjoy it. I live in California and spent many childhood summers on the beaches of Southern California. I still love going. I live just minutes from national parks. Sustainability is near and dear to my heart, ensuring our oceans and forests remain healthy. I love playing trivia with our members and reminding people why it’s important to preserve what we have now. I’m a father of three—and making sure their great-grandkids can breathe clean air and swim in trash-free oceans is super important. And, as Gannett supports those values on a corporate level, we can make a difference in the hundreds of local communities we serve.
Aside from ERGs, how else does the company encourage community, connection, and collaboration?
We’re one big happy family. You can quote me on that. I talk to someone in a newsroom five miles away and another 2,500 miles away every single day. Gannett is a community of journalists, sales teams, and highly skilled manufacturing crews. There are also behind-the-scenes geniuses in product, development, marketing, HR, and communications. We aren’t afraid to reach out to each other. We are on the same team working toward the same goal. You don’t get more “community” than that.
Journalism and media is a very fast-paced environment—how do you manage setting boundaries between home and work while maintaining a healthy relationship with both?
This is a tough one. When I started, I was convinced I had to work 24/7. If I didn’t have the most page views in the newsroom, I was failing. It took a few years of little sleep (along with a newborn) to realize I had to balance life inside and outside the newsroom. I love the adrenaline of breaking news, but being home where my children are swimming, playing, or asking the most random questions is a different kind of fun. At the end of the day, both jobs matter and both make a difference. It’s important to realize work will always be there. There’s always a story waiting. I take deep breaths, organize my brain, try to keep things straight, and rely on those closest to me across Gannett and home to make it all work.
What advice do you have for those hoping to enter the media industry? How can they stand out as candidates?
I have done my share of hiring and the biggest thing I look for is someone who seems genuine. Someone who is just being their authentic self. We want the best candidates, but we also want people who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable, strong, open, and understanding. We want people willing to learn and teach. Be yourself, but be willing to shape your future self by learning from the people who surround you.
Who is your biggest fictional role model and why? If you could ask them one question, what would it be?
This is an easy one: Clark Kent (or Superman for those who may not know). This is an industry where you need tough skin. You’re not always going to be the favorite in the room or even in town. You need to wear many hats and you must look deeper. These are all conundrums that Clark Kent has to deal with on a daily basis. I’d ask him how he does it, but I know the answer is trial and error. I’m sure he’d tell me not to be afraid to fail and to celebrate the successes.