Are you experienced?

• Author: Kinney, David
• Position: Journalism

As managing editor of The Charlotte Observer, a job he held 13 years, Frank Barrows ran a newsroom 250 people strong. As BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA's new executive editor, he supervises three editors--four, once we fill a vacancy--and tries to keep an editor in chief at least somewhat focused and on task. Small in number we might be, but we've spent a combined 161 years in journalism, probably one of the most experienced staffs of ink-stained wretches you'll find working anywhere.

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Among the assets Frank, 59, brings is not just the length but the breadth of his experience. During his 33 years with the newspaper, he worked as sports columnist, basketball writer, projects reporter, assistant metro editor, executive sports editor, deputy metro editor, assistant managing editor/local news and deputy managing editor. He was one of two editors who directed coverage of Jim Bakker and the PTL scandal, which won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 1988. While he was managing editor, The Observer was twice a Pulitzer finalist. Oh, and during a long-ago two-year respite from the paper, he freelanced for The Atlantic Monthly, Southern Living and Golf...