Nottingham Becomes Editor of Times Orange County Edition

Bill Nottingham, previously managing editor of The Times’ Orange County Edition, has been named editor of the Edition, effective immediately, it was announced Monday by Shelby Coffey III, executive vice president and editor of The Times.

Nottingham, whose 11 years with The Times includes seven years with the Orange County Edition, will oversee its 170-person editorial staff and will report to Robert G. Magnuson, president of the Edition.

Nottingham succeeds Martin Baron, who is leaving The Times.

“Bill Nottingham is not only a superb journalist, but one with vast experience serving our Orange County readers,” Coffey said. “He brings a great deal to his new role, including outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to producing the best newspaper in Orange County.”

“Bill’s previous experience in the Orange County Edition newsroom and most recently as managing editor is an invaluable asset,” said Carol Stogsdill, senior editor and vice president of The Times. “He is a strong leader with a great deal of enthusiasm for his work.”

Magnuson reports on editorial matters to Stogsdill, who oversees The Times’ California and regional news coverage. She previously served as executive news editor of the Orange County Edition starting in 1987 and was editor of the Edition from 1990 to 1993.

“Bill combines keen journalistic skills and the highest degree of integrity with years of front-line experience in the trenches of Orange County,” Magnuson said. “His appointment underscores how important Orange County is to The Times. In his new role as editor, Bill will help lead the way to new levels of journalistic excellence and success in this important market.”

Nottingham, 46, first worked for The Times in 1985 as a staff writer in the Southeast/Long Beach Edition and in 1988 was named assistant section editor. He was appointed assistant city editor of the Orange County Edition in 1989 and city editor in 1993. Nottingham has held the position of managing editor since 1995. Previously, Nottingham was a staff writer for 12 years at the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times. He has a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of South Florida.

The Times Orange County Edition has a weekday circulation of 200,112 and a Sunday circulation of 286,331 (ABC Publisher’s Statement, three months ending March 31, 1996).

The Times has published the daily Orange County Edition since 1968. It is published at a separate facility in Costa Mesa and has a staff of about 700 people.

The Edition recently won a record 68 journalism awards, including 23 first-place awards and the prestigious Watchdog Award for excellence in reporting about public officials, at this year’s Orange County Press Club awards ceremony.