Carolina Public Press announced Frank Taylor on Monday as the online news organization’s new executive director.
Taylor has served as editor in chief since returning to CPP in December 2023. He had previously been CPP’s managing editor from 2015 to 2022, before leaving for South Carolina’s Post and Courier, where he worked as Columbia editor of the Charleston-based publication for 18 months.
Taylor officially began his new role on Monday, Nov. 4, succeeding Lisa Lopez, interim executive director, who had worked to advance the organization’s mission over the past year while its board of directors conducted a search for a new executive director. Lopez will continue working with CPP in her role as development director.
The organization plans to hire a new managing editor to work alongside its existing leadership team, but Taylor will continue to oversee news operations in the short term.
Taylor has a robust background in journalism and community engagement, bringing more than 30 years of news industry experience to his new role with CPP. He previously worked in various positions at newspapers across four states, including The Fayetteville Observer, The Tampa Tribune, Florida Today, The Mecklenburg Times, The (Tarboro) Daily Southerner, and The Lincoln Times-News.
Taylor has a master’s degree in digital media from the University of North Carolina School of Journalism and Media and a bachelor’s degree in history from Wheaton College of Illinois.
He also has done graduate work in history at Western Carolina and Florida State universities, with research focusing on colonial and revolutionary North Carolina. He previously served for four years as an adjunct professor of history at Brevard College in Transylvania County.
“We are thrilled to welcome Frank Taylor to our team,” said Scott Barnwell, Chair of the Board of Directors. “With Frank’s vision and leadership, we are confident that Carolina Public Press will continue to grow and strengthen its impact throughout the state.”
Taylor stated, “I am honored to be asked to lead Carolina Public Press at such a pivotal time. I look forward to collaborating with our talented team and engaging with communities across North Carolina to ensure that we deliver vital, trustworthy journalism that informs and empowers.”
Carolina Public Press was founded in 2011 by Angie Newsome as an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit newsroom dedicated to producing in-depth and investigative news on public-interest issues. Though originally focused only on Western North Carolina, in 2018 CPP went statewide.
Over its nearly 14-year history, CPP’s work has contributed to meaningful discussion and public-policy changes across North Carolina. Its journalism has garnered many newspaper industry awards for investigative reporting, freedom of information, public service and general excellence, among others.
CPP’s headquarters moved in 2023 from Asheville to Durham, but its team works remotely across the state. Taylor, who has previously lived in several parts of the North Carolina, currently resides with his wife and daughter in Hillsborough.
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