Ryan Martin, who won a Pulitzer Prize with IndyStar in 2021, will return to lead Indiana’s largest newspaper as its new executive editor.
Martin brings to the position a strong connection to the community and a record of producing high-impact investigative reporting.
He has worked as an editor and reporter at outlets across the state, including eight years at IndyStar, where he served as breaking news editor, criminal justice reporter and investigative reporter.
“With deep connections to the Indianapolis community, Martin’s passion for his city and experience in local journalism aligns him with our mission of preserving vital reporting while championing innovative ways to meet our audience where they are,” said Gannett Media President Kristin Roberts. “Martin’s experience in newsroom leadership and audience growth at publications in northern and central Indiana makes him an obvious choice for the role of Executive Editor.”
Most recently, he helped to launch Mirror Indy, a local news startup, where he was deputy managing editor and interim managing editor of news. He also previously worked as a senior investigative reporter for digital startup State Affairs Indiana and as managing editor for The Elkhart Truth newspaper in northern Indiana.
“Ryan Martin is a nationally recognized journalist whose work has consistently held power to account and elevated the voices of our communities. His Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative work and deep roots in Indianapolis make him uniquely qualified to lead IndyStar into its next chapter,” said USA TODAY Network Vice President Editor Mary Irby-Jones, who oversees the Indianapolis Star and other newsrooms in her role as Midwest regional editor.
Martin was part of a team of journalists from four newsrooms, including IndyStar, that won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for an investigation that examined K-9 units and the damage inflicted by police dogs. He also co-authored an IndyStar series that exposed a death crisis inside Indiana’s county jails, which was recognized with an Investigative Reporters and Editors award, and a separate investigation examining how lax oversight from state regulators helped fuel an explosion of violence within Indianapolis bars and clubs. The Indiana chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has honored his journalism as Story of the Year three times.
“Coming back to the Indianapolis Star feels like a homecoming,” Martin said. “It’s one of the top newsrooms in the country for investigative journalism, community reporting, sports and visuals. I spent more than seven years working alongside journalists inside that newsroom, and I’m excited to pick up right where I left off.”
Martin replaces Eric Larsen, who announced his departure in May. Larsen was recently appointed sports editor at USA TODAY.
Martin grew up in southern Illinois and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and a master’s in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis.
He lives on the east side of Indianapolis with his wife, Gwen Ragno.
“Ryan brings not only editorial excellence but also a bold vision for digital transformation and audience growth,” said Irby-Jones. “I’m confident he will inspire our newsroom and serve our readers with the integrity and innovation they deserve.”
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pulitzer winner Ryan Martin returns to IndyStar as executive editor
Reporting by Tony Cook, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
