FAYETTEVILLE– Lisa Thompson, executive editor of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, announced her resignation Tuesday, following 23 years with the newspaper company.
Thompson started working at the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas, which later became the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, as a Sunday editor in 2002. She was later promoted to managing editor in 2004 and took the position of executive editor in 2023.
As executive editor, Thompson supervises the editors, reporters, photographers and designers at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the River Valley Democrat-Gazette in Fort Smith and NWA Media’s weekly publications. Thompson received a bachelor of arts degree in journalism with a minor in legal studies from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
“I’m deeply grateful for everything Lisa has contributed over her many years with WEHCO,” said Eliza Gaines, WEHCO Media publisher. “She’s been a fierce journalist and a strong leader, and her presence will be greatly missed in the newsroom.”
WEHCO Media is the parent company of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers.
Thompson’s previous experience includes work at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas; the Idaho Statesman in Boise, Idaho; and the Anchorage Times in Alaska.
“I have been a professional journalist since September of 1983,” she said in her email to staff announcing her resignation. “Yes, most of us worked on typewriters back then. I have worked with many dedicated, talented people who shared my passion for the Fourth Estate; for giving the reader information to think about rather than telling him what to think.
“I would do it all over again.”
Thompson said her resignation came with the desire to rearrange priorities in order to provide more time for her personal pursuits. Thompson’s resignation is effective July 28.
