Mark Katches named editor of The Oregonian

Mark Katches, an editor familiar to many journalists in Southern California, today was named the new editor of the largest newspaper in Oregon. He will also be vice president of content for the Oregonian Media Group. Katches is editorial director for The Center for Investigative Reporting in the Bay Area. Previously he was the founding editor of California Watch, the start-up investigative newsroom that won some big awards before folding into CIR a few years ago.

Katches ran the Orange County Register investigative team earlier in the 2000s. The upcoming move to Portland reunites him with N. Christian Anderson III, the Oregonian's publisher, who used to be editor, then publisher and CEO, of the Register. In his current paper's story about the new hire, Anderson says:

"Mark Katches is an outstanding journalist and leader. His track record of leading teams to produce information of substance that serves readers and communities is extensive. He will lead us as we continue to transform how we provide and deliver news and information to the people of Oregon and Southwest Washington."