Burgess brings more than 20 years’ newspaper experience

MOSES LAKE — Dave Burgess said his interest in the news business goes all the way back to his childhood newspaper route. Burgess was named the Columbia Basin Herald managing editor in mid-December.

“While Dave is new to our company, he brings a wealth of experience to the table, having worked at larger dailies before moving to the Columbia Basin,” wrote Columbia Basin Herald publisher Caralyn Bess. Burgess worked as editor of the Quincy Valley Post-Register before coming to the CBH, and that gave him a chance to learn about Grant County and the Basin, she added.

“He also believes in being connected with our community, and those of you who know me know that being involved with, and caring about, our community is very important to me. I am excited for our future and look for Dave to continue to grow our connection with the community both in print and online as he leads our news team and content strategy.”

The CBH is building multiple ways to connect with readers, Burgess said, including the recent launch of the CBH app and the unveiling of a new website Monday. “Any healthy community needs a strong news organization, and that’s what we intend to be.” The CBH is also reaching readers with a newsletter, and Burgess said the company plans to do more with it.

Burgess said he’s seen the value added to CBH and plans to build on that foundation. The additions and changes were prompted by results of a survey of both readers and non-readers. Armed with that information, the CBH is in a position “to be that voice in Central Washington that our community turns to for news and information.”

Burgess said he’s learned a lot in the first five weeks at the CBH, and the newsroom staff has learned a lot. “I also think it’s an exciting time for Central Washington,” he said. The region has “a lot of interesting stories and people to write about.”

Burgess, 56, said he’s always been interested in news. “I’m something of a news nut, can never get enough news,” Burgess said. That interest goes back to a newspaper delivery route in Seattle. He “loved the look and feel of the newspaper.”

His first newspaper job was in Twin Falls, Idaho, in 1998. “I just walked in when they were hiring for a copy editor,” and aced their test, he said.

He never looked back.

“I had good training at my first newspaper and loved it ever since,” he said.

Burgess worked at other newspapers in Idaho and in Montana before moving to Quincy, where he was editor for three years.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].