Michael Caldwell has been named managing editor of The Ironton Tribune and The Extra.

Caldwell, an Ashland, Ky., native has previously lived in both Gallia County and the Franklin Furnace area.

An honors graduate of Marshall University with a bachelor’s degree in print journalism, the 29-year-old Caldwell said he is looking forward to the new challenges ahead.

"I am excited about the opportunity to stay in the Tri-State area that will always be home to me and continue my role here to help publish a newspaper that all of Lawrence County can be proud of," Caldwell said.

Caldwell began his professional career with The Ironton Tribune serving first as an intern in May 2002 before being hired as a full-time news reporter in August of that year.

Caldwell was promoted to news editor in October 2003.

"We have made some positive changes in recent years and look forward to adding new content and coverage that our readers say they want," he said. "This is the community’s newspaper and myself and our tremendous staff are dedicated to producing a newspaper that captures the essence of the region that we all love."

Ironton Publications President and Publisher Kevin Cooper said he was happy Caldwell is leading The Tribune newsroom.

"Michael understand the people of this region and how to make a good newspaper that people want to read," Cooper said.

"He’s smart and has a great nose for news. I look forward to seeing him implement his plans for improving our newspaper for our readers."