N&O picks two for editors' positions

The News & Observer has selected new editors to lead two of its news departments.

Thad Ogburn took over as metro editor last week, supervising the paper's news staffs in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Debra Boyette replaces Ogburn as features editor.

Linda Williams, senior editor for news, said Ogburn and Boyette will complete a team of top editors at the paper.

"We have two strong people in charge of two of our really important news departments," Williams said.

Ogburn came to The N&O in 1990 as a copy editor. Since then, he has served as news editor and also launched the North Raleigh News and Durham News sections. He was deputy metro editor two years ago when he was named features editor.

In features, Ogburn has overseen major changes, including the addition of more comics and food coverage and the creation of the new Sunday Arts & Living section. The American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors named The N&O's feature section one of the nation's 10 best last year.

Ogburn, 44, was born in Winston-Salem. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and 7-year-old daughter.

Ogburn said it's a challenging time to run a news department. Readers are looking for in-depth, investigative pieces in the paper and a vibrant, newsy Web site. At the same time, newsroom staff is shrinking.

He'll supervise a staff of more than 50 reporters and editors. He replaces Van Denton, who has taken a temporary assignment as editor of the Sunday Q section.

"Now is the time to be innovative while maintaining all the core things readers have come to expect from us," Ogburn said.

Boyette, who is from the Randolph County town of Ramseur, came to The N&O in 1997 after 15 years at the Kansas City Star.

She has worked in the features department for the past eight years, most recently overseeing production of the daily and weekend features sections.

Boyette played a critical role in the department over the past year as the staff was stretched because of unexpected illnesses and personnel shortages. Boyette took over Saturday's Home & Garden section, bringing new ideas and creativity to the pages, Williams said.

Boyette will lead a staff of more than 25 reporters and editors.

Boyette, 50, lives in North Raleigh with her husband and two daughters.

She isn't planning any major changes at this time.

"I just want to continue the good work we are already doing," she said. "I want to continue to reflect our community, to teach and to entertain."