Dunn named Daily Pilot sports editor

Longtime Daily Pilot sports writer Rich Dunn, who has been with the

paper for nearly 20 years, has been named the paper’s new sports

editor.

Dunn replaces Roger Carlson, who retired last month after 35 years

with the Pilot.

“I can’t think of a better person to fill Roger Carlson’s shoes

than Rich Dunn,” Pilot Editor Tony Dodero said. “His institutional

knowledge of local sports is immeasurable and his enthusiasm and love

for the work he does will serve our readers well. I expect the sports

coverage will continue the fine tradition and depth his predecessor

brought to the pages of the Daily Pilot.”

Dunn, who was most recently one of the paper’s two assistant

sports editors along with Barry Faulkner, has covered professional

sports, including the Angels, college, prep and youth sports during

his tenure at the Pilot.

He is also well known for his columns and knowledge of local golf

and tennis. He has won several awards for his writing and is

responsible for the idea of the Tea Cup Classic golf tournament,

which has become a community institution.

Dunn, 40, will oversee the daily sports operations, plan the

coverage and the page layouts, edit copy and supervise the staff.

Before he became a journalist, Rich was a pitcher for a minor

league baseball team in the Minnesota Twins organization. He holds a

bachelor’s from the University of La Verne.

In a related move, Melanie Neff has joined the Pilot as Dunn’s

replacement as assistant sports editor.

Neff has been a sports copy editor and writer for the Los Angeles

Times Orange County edition and was most recently assistant sports

editor for the Inland Valley Voice, a sister paper of the Pilot.

Her other jobs have included news assistant at USA Today, director

of operations for NBA Summer Pro League, a research assistant for the

book “History of Black College Football” and assistant media

relations director for the Los Angeles Clippers. She holds a

journalism degree in sports information from USC.

-- Daily Pilot staff