ROCKINGHAM – The Richmond Observer announced today that Kyle Pillar will transition to the role of Sports Editor, and C.K. (Chuck) Craven will become the next Managing Editor for Richmond County’s most-read news publication.
The move comes at a time where the company, which began with The Richmond Observer as its only product, continues to grow and expand into a comprehensive multimedia company for Richmond County and the entire Sandhills region.
Pillar, who served as managing editor since August 2017 and is largely responsible for the unprecedented growth of the publication from only 300 viewers per day in July to nearly 6,000 on average now, created the weekly “Official Richmond County Athlete of the Week” feature, one of The Richmond Observer’s most successful moves since the company’s inception. In the announcement, he indicated that he is excited to make the move and transition his focus entirely to local sports.
“[Sports] is where my heart has always been, and always will be,” said Pillar.
Pillar is a native of Pennsylvania and came to Richmond County with his wife, Jordyn, a few years ago to teach. He noted that he is excited to continue to lead the sports department, and is eager to continue his focus on teaching.
“This will allow me to continue my focus on the classroom and my students, and while covering sports for the Observer, I will still be very connected with the school system and my passion for education,” Pillar said.
Craven, who will begin working as managing editor effective immediately, is a Richmond County native, specifically Hamlet, and has written as a regular contributor for The Richmond Observer since August 2017. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Masters in Criminal Justice, North Carolina State University with a Masters in Sociology, and is currently working on his Ph.D. at North Carolina State University. He was also recently tapped as an adjunct instructor at Richmond Community College.
Craven also owns and operates a staff development training company known as PeopleTek 360.
“I am very excited and extremely appreciative of this opportunity to assume new duties with The Richmond Observer,” said Craven. “My experience with Lance [Jenkins] and Kenny [Melvin] has proven to be highly enjoyable as well as professionally enlightening and I anticipate a continuation of this positivity in providing the citizens of Richmond County with timely and accurate news.”
Lance Jenkins, co-owner of KL Media and The Richmond Observer, noted his excitement for the transition.
“Kyle [Pillar] is much of the reason this digital paper has grown like it has in the last eight months,” Jenkins said. “He is passionate for sports and education, and he is going to lead our sports department to new heights, too.
Jenkins continued, “Chuck [Craven] is an excellent addition to lead the newsroom. He was at the top of our short list to bring on to the executive team when we knew Kyle was transitioning to sports, and we are confident he is going to work well with Kenny and I in moving this company and The Richmond Observer to the next level.”
Other announcements will come in the next few days as The Richmond Observer continues to focus on growth and expansion for the publication and its parent company KL Media.
For more information, read the latest updates each day on richmondobserver.com.
