Lorry Williams named executive editor of The Fayetteville Observer

She is the first woman to lead the 203-year-old publication’s newsroom.

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Lorry Williams, who has held numerous positions in The Fayetteville Observer’s newsroom over the past 32 years, has been named as the newspaper’s executive editor.

Publisher Bob Gruber made the announcement Tuesday to the Observer’s reporters, editors and department supervisors throughout the company.

Williams, 55, becomes The Fayetteville Observer’s first female executive editor, succeeding Matt Leclercq, who recently was promoted to GateHouse Media’s national news editor in Austin, Texas.

“Strong community journalism is so important,” Williams said, “and we have a talented group of journalists who work hard to tell stories that matter.”

Williams has served as the Observer’s senior news editor, deputy news editor, assistant managing editor, assistant metro editor and reporter on numerous beats.

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