In exactly one month – on September 29, she starts her new job as Senior Editor for Sunday and enterprise at the Houston Chronicle.
“I’ve loved working at The Pilot, and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years. It’s an exceptional newsroom,” María tells Media Moves. “But this opportunity in Houston came along at a good time, personally and professionally, and I’m looking forward to spending more of my time working on stories.”
María joined The Pilot in 1998, starting out in features, moving her way up the paper in several leadership roles before becoming Managing Editor.
She previously spent 13 years as a reporter/editor at The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg.
In an email to staff announcing her departure, Virginian-Pilot editor Denis Finley, who has worked with Maria for the past 9 years sang her praises:
“Maria’s talent, work ethic, love of craft, peacemaking ability and search for perfection in everything she does is unparalleled. Every day she has been here has made us better…. The Chronicle is lucky. In fact, I don’t think they have any idea just how lucky they are to have Maria on its staff now.”