Dear Reader:

It is with great elation that I announce Todd Jackson will become our inaugural managing editor.

Jackson, who serves as metro editor and New River Valley bureau chief for The Roanoke Times, brings more than 30 years of experience to the role. His first day will be March 31.

“I am excited to join The Roanoke Rambler,” Todd says. “The Rambler is proving since its founding that it is committed to, and can produce, important journalism that cannot be found elsewhere. I will strive to carry out that mission.” 

As managing editor, Todd will lead editorial operations of our weekly publication, report on the important issues of the day and help grow our audience. Todd will guide and mentor journalists, including our Report For America Corps member, as well as our talented stable of freelance reporters and photographers.

You will see Todd’s byline on numerous stories, with an emphasis on coverage of Roanoke city hall and government accountability — an area in which he has great expertise. 

Todd spent a decade covering Roanoke city hall, from 1997 to 2007, over the tenures of three mayors, two city managers and numerous City Council members. During that time, Todd also wrote about federal and state politics, spending time in Washington, D.C., and covering the General Assembly in Richmond. As an investigative journalist, Todd’s reporting uncovered questionable spending and conduct issues at local government institutions, including the Roanoke school district and housing authority.

“I want to lead and teach, but I'm also looking forward to returning to reporting and writing and meeting and talking to people in the community,” Todd says.

Todd has spent his adult life in journalism, starting as a reporter at the News Messenger in Montgomery County a week after he graduated from Virginia Tech. More recently, as an editor overseeing reporters in the Roanoke and New River valleys, Todd has led dozens of journalists covering issues from government and politics to higher education to state and federal courts.

On a personal note, Todd was my editor before my departure from the newspaper in 2021. This marks a great milestone in The Rambler's journey, and I cannot be more thrilled that Todd is joining the team.

Sincerely yours,

Henri Gendreau

Founder and publisher
The Roanoke Rambler
Local | Investigative | Literary
founder@roanokerambler.com