Norman Bell, former editor of the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, began work this week.
He brings a wealth of daily newspaper experience to leading the HBJ’s news operation. He has been the top editor at daily newspapers in Tacoma, Wash., Oakland, Calif., and Trenton, N.J.
Bell also has held managing editor or senior editor roles at daily newspapers in Detroit, Columbus OH, Albuquerque, N.M., and Riverside, Calif.
 In addition, he has taught journalism as McMahan Centennial Professor at the University of Oklahoma and has been a Jefferson Fellow of the East-West Center in Hawaii.
He is a native of Troy, NY, and holds a master’s degree in American studies from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.
“I’m excited to be back in the Northeast and look forward to tackling the issues that touch business in Connecticut,” Bell said.
“A business journal has a unique role as the voice of the local business community. That’s especially important in a capital city where our voice is heard by legislators and state officials who play such an important role in the regulation and general well-being of business.”
Publisher Gail Lebert said, “Our search for an editor focused on someone with strong management skills to lead us through the exciting and changing landscape of business-to-business news. Norm brings a strong background of business-to-business journalism that will continue our commitment to providing urgent news to the business community.”Â
Bell succeeds Managing Editor Diane Weaver Dunne, who also served as interim editor. She begins work March 1 as executive director of the nonprofit Connecticut Radio Information Service in Windsor.
Bell and his wife, Lisa, will reside in Rocky Hill.
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