FORT?DODGE?- Two veteran journalists have been named to key posts in The Messenger’s newsroom.

Publisher Larry Bushman announced that Jane Curtis, of Webster City, has been selected as the newspaper’s editor. Terrence Dwyer, of Fort Dodge, is the new editorial page editor.

“Jane’s experience in writing and management is a great fit as editor,” Bushman said.

Curtis has been acting managing editor of The Messenger since August and prior to that was night desk editor at The Messenger three days a week since 2009. Her newspaper and professional writing experience is extensive, having worked in journalism as an editor and writer in three states – Iowa, Colorado and Connecticut.

“I look forward to being a positive influence in this role,” Curtis said. “The news business is changing, but the need for local news will never go away. Our focus will continue to be on solid, fair reporting, keeping in mind that we are an active part of this community.”

Curtis is a published novelist, playwright and freelance writer. She has also been a communications consultant and writing coach. Her community service work includes current membership on the board of directors of the Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center.

Curtis’ newspaper management experience includes being desk editor for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Waterbury Republican, of Waterbury, Connecticut.

She was managing editor of The New Milford Times, New Milford, Connecticut, and founding managing editor of The Washington Eagle, in Washington, Connecticut, during the 1980s.

Curtis, a native of Webster City, earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications at Iowa State University, Ames, in 1982. Her graduate work was done in creative writing and acting at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut.

Dwyer, who grew up in Humboldt, holds a bachelor’s degree with honors from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a master of public adminstration degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He taught political science at Michigan and at Eastern Michigan University. Dwyer’s early career included extensive political work in Iowa, Massachusetts and Michigan culminating in service on the White House staff of President Richard M. Nixon.

From 1973 through 1996, Dwyer was a senior health care executive serving for 11 years as chief executive officer of the Syracuse, New York-based Empire State Peer Review Organization and nine as CEO of the Virginia Health Quality Center headquartered in Richmond. While at the VHQC, he was also executive editor of its award-winning trade publication, VHQC Reports.

In January 2002, Dwyer joined the staff of The Messenger, where he has covered health care and business stories and been the newspaper’s principal editorial writer. He has served, and will continue to serve, as news editor of Fort Dodge Business Review. He also writes editorials for Farm News, The Messenger’s sister publication.