BRUNSWICK

Rob Montana, who was instrumental in refocusing The Times Record as a community oriented publication during his tenure as the publication’s editor from 2014- 2015, is back at Midcoast Maine’s only daily newspaper.

Montana — who had been telecommuting from New York state for the last two months, assisting with copy editing — returned to Maine in late December to resume his role as managing editor.

“We are thrilled to have Rob rejoin The TR team,” Times Record Publisher Michelle Lester said. “It’s not often that you have the luxury of a known quantity with a ‘new’ employee’s work.

“His dedication to producing an excellent community newspaper, and his full understanding of The TR’s mission means that he has hit the ground running,” Lester continued. “We are happy to have his assistance as we are working on a major software upgrade and changes to our website in the first quarter.”

Executive Editor John Swinconeck echoed Lester’s sentiments.

“Rob brings with him a wealth of experience, passion and creativity,” Swinconeck said. “He truly cares about community journalism, and we’re very glad and fortunate to have him in the newsroom again.”

“I’m thrilled to be back at The Times Record,” said Montana. “Michelle Lester and John Swinconeck — and the rest of the team — run an excellent paper, and I’m glad I have the opportunity to be a part of that once again.”

Prior to rejoining The Times Record, Montana was managing editor of the 7,000- circulation Tompkins Weekly in the Finger Lakes region of central New York. His other newspaper experience includes serving as managing editor for The Ithaca Times in Ithaca, New York, and as sports reporter, news reporter and weekend editor of The Evening Tribune in Hornell, New York. He also has worked in radio and as a nonprofit marketing and development associate.

Montana and his wife, Kristy, and their daughter, Grace, are excited to be back the Midcoast and be able to enjoy all the region has to offer.

“I’ve had the great fortune to have worked at a number of stellar publications in my nearly 20-year career, and the TR ranks among the best of them,” Montana said. “The staff works tirelessly to bring local, legitimate journalism to the Midcoast region and I couldn’t be happier to rejoin that team.”

Montana’s return comes during a time of transition in The TR’s newsroom. Longtime reporter Darcie Moore was recently promoted to Senior Staff Writer and has taken over the Brunswick and Freeport beats.

Chris Quattrucci, who had recently worked behind the scenes in the WGME newsroom, became The Times Record’s newest reporter Dec. 27. Quattrucci takes over Moore’s previous beat, covering Topsham, Lisbon, Bowdoin and Bowdoinham, as well as other communities.

Former Deputy Managing Editor Alicia Bane has left the paper in order to work with an Augusta-based nonprofit.

Mark Shipsey was promoted to ad director in July 2017.

Not everything is changing at The TR, a newspaper that last year marked the 50th anniversary of the merger of The Bath Times and Brunswick Record.

Nathan Strout continues in his role as reporter covering Bath, West Bath, Woolwich, Phippsburg, Georgetown and Harpswell. Bob Conn continues to head up the sports department, assisted by sports reporter Eric Maxim, who was hired in June 2017.

Patrick Gabrion is still laying out the front page, as well as editing inside sections including Home & Family and Science & Technology.

Swinconeck will continue to oversee the newsroom, while also reporting on new businesses and economic development, as well as arts and entertainment for the paper’s Business and Ticket sections, respectively.

The Times Record continues to be owned by Sample News Group, which also owns newspapers in northern New England, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

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