Dan Benson has over 30 years of experience in journalism, including serving as an engagement/planning editor at Gannett Wisconsin Media since 2015 where he oversees editorial content across multiple publications. Prior to this role, he worked as a news editor for Sheboygan Press from 2012 to 2015. Benson has received numerous awards for his work in investigative reporting, beat reporting, and spot news coverage from organizations such as the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and Gannett Newspapers. He holds a B.S. in Agricultural Journalism from Iowa State University.

1. DAN BENSON
Port Washington, Wis. 920.254.2353 snortinghorses@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Gannett Wisconsin Media
 Engagement/Planning Edior. March 2015 to present: Oversee publication of
editorial content on digital and print platforms in four Gannett sites -- Fond du Lac
Oshkosh, Sheboygan and Manitowoc. Also oversee audience engagement efforts
through social media, recruitment and management of community columnists and
organization of outreach events. Edit daily opinion pages.
Sheboygan Press
 News editor, November 2012-March 215. Oversaw daily newsroom staff and
production of print editions, plan and direct reader engagement efforts connecting
print to web to social media. Site regularly ranked among top in GWN.
 Watchdog reporter, November 2009-Novermber 2012. Covered school district,
city and county government.
Journal Communications, 1991-2009
 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS),watchdog reporter, 2000-2009. Municipal,
county, courts, cops, open meetings/records issues.
 MJS, real estate/assistant business editor, 1996-2000. Launched award-winning
section.
 MJS, assistant editor, Wisconsin Sunday magazine, 1995-1996.
 Milwaukee Sentinel, assistant features editor, 1991-1995.
Other relevant experience:
 San Diego Union, 1988-1991. Copy editor for features, sports, business, metro desks.
 Copley News Service, San Diego, 1982-1988. News service wire editor.
 Capistrano Valley News, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 1980-1982. Community news
reporter/photographer.
Education
 Iowa State University: B.S., Agricultural Journalism. 1979
Awards and Accomplishments
 Wisconsin Newspaper Association: 1st
and 2nd
headline writing 2013, 2014, 2015; 1st
investigative news 2011; 2nd
spot news, 3rd
beat reporting 2010; 1st team spots news
coverage, 2003; certificate of merit investigative reporting 2002.
 Gannett Newspapers: 1st
spot news, 1st
team coverage, 2011; 1st
Community
Leadership, 1st
team reporting 2010.
 Milwaukee Press Club: 1st team spot news coverage, 2003.
 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (in house): Best beat coverage, 2005,
 National Association of Real Estate Editors: Twice runner-up, one honorable

2. mention best real estate section; three writing awards.
 San Diego Union (in-house): Best monthly headlines, 14 of 29 months.
 Orange County (Calif.) Press Club: 2nd
best feature story, 1980.
Volunteer, community involvement experience
 Youth baseball/softball umpire.
 Church volunteer, committee member, website/social media manager, publicity
volunteer, Sunday school teacher, small group champion.
 Historical Society board member.
 Senior Center publicity volunteer.
 Youth baseball coach.
Other skills and education
 Software: Quark Express, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint.
 Training: Videotaping and sound recordingfor reporters/editors, “Dealing with
Difficult People,” “Employee Discipline,” “Conflict Resolution.”
 Social media: Wordpress, Blogspot, Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, Hootsuite.