New editor takes charge at the Press

By Bob Fenske, editor@nhtrib.com

The new editor of the Charles City Press brings a wide breadth of experience and local knowledge to his new post.

Bob Steenson began work today at the daily newspaper after spending 22 years at the Globe Gazette in Mason City.

“I’m delighted for the opportunity to lead the Press newsroom that has a great team of journalists,” Steenson said. “Charles City is a strong, vibrant community, with a great industrial and retail base, and it has a good school and wonderful parks. I can’t wait to get started.”

Press Publisher Christopher Hall announced Steenson’s hiring last week and said he values his new editor’s experience.

“Bob understands the importance of community journalism,” Hall said, “and that we want to provide a hyper-local product to our readers. His experience will be a real plus for our newsroom and our newspaper.”

After graduating from Forest City High School in 1977, Steenson attended Iowa State University in Ames, where he obtained bachelor’s degrees in journalism and industrial education.

He worked for five years as the managing editor of the Dyersville Commercial before moving to Webster City, where he served as the editor of The Freeman Journal. In 1990, he moved to Minnesota and served as editor of the Fairmont Sentinel, before moving back to Iowa to accept a position as the news editor at the Globe Gazette in 1995.

In Mason City, Steenson first oversaw the Globe’s team of news reporters before leading the design and production team.

He and his wife, Deb, are the parents of two adult children — Megan, who is a senior designer with a newspaper group in Des Moines, and Matthew, who is a middle school science teacher in West Des Moines.

Steenson said he understands the importance the role of the Press to Charles City-area residents.

“The Charles City Press is an important part of the community,” he said. “Our job is to provide coverage of the things that are important to our readers, as well as fun and exciting stories about the people who make up this great community and area. The Press is relevant, trusted and well read, and I’m excited to be a part of this great newspaper.”

Steenson can be reached by phone at 641-228-3211 or by email at editor@charlescitypress.com.