Meet the Des Moines Register Editorial Team

During the 175 years of the Des Moines Register’s existence, many accomplished editors have led the Des Moines Register in top positions and as leaders of important departments.

One top editor stands out above all others for his longevity: Harvey Ingham, editor from 1902 to 1943. He was succeeded by William Waymack, who had won a Pulitzer Prize as an editor before reaching the top job, where he served for ten years. Then came Kenneth MacDonald, the second-longest editor among the top editors, with a tenure of 21 years.

Michael Gartner then took over, and during his tenure, which ended in 1982, the Register won two Pulitzer Prizes for national reporting (and he later won one himself, for editorial work, as owner and editor of the Ames Tribune).

See how the Des Moines Register production facility prints the news

Take a look inside the Des Moines Register production facility, 7400 Register Drive, on the south side of Des Moines. In addition to the Register, 14 newspapers are printed.

More recently, Geneva Overholser, who became the Register’s first female editor in 1988, showed editorial courage by challenging industry conventions about concealing the identities of rape victims. A series she oversaw, reported by Jane Schorer Meisner, profiled a rape victim and used her name with her permission, in an effort to destigmatize victims of the crime. The work won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 1991.

Editors-in-chief and department editors also made their mark, such as the legendary Sec Taylor, who was sports editor for more than 50 years, from 1914 to 1965. The playing field at Principal Park still bears his name.

More recent senior editors remembered as top journalists and mentors include Randy Evans, whose 40-year tenure began on August 9, 1974, the day President Richard Nixon resigned, and who served as assistant managing editor and opinion editor, among other positions, and the late Randy Brubaker, who served as sports editor, managing editor and second-in-command in the newsroom during his 26-year career at the Register.

And now I’d like to introduce you to today’s editorial team, who, like the best of their predecessors, are skilled, dedicated journalists who work hard and care about their staff, their community and our state.

I start with Mike Trautmann, who has the dual responsibilities of news director (the equivalent of an editor-in-chief) and political editor. This is Mike’s second stint at the Register, after serving as the business and investigations editor from 2015 to 2019. He has worked for the Register’s parent company, Gannett, for a total of 34 years, starting at the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, in his home state, and also at the Courier-Journal in Louisville, where he helped direct coverage of last-minute gubernatorial pardons, which won a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news in 2020, and the shooting of Breonna Taylor at the hands of Louisville police, which was a Pulitzer finalist for breaking news and public service in 2021. Contact Mike at [email protected]

Other key members of the editorial team, listed by year in the Register, with contact details:

James Kramer, sports editor: Has been with the Register for 25 years, most of it in sports. Originally from Farley, in northeast Iowa, he is a graduate of the University of Iowa. He directly oversees coverage of Cyclone and Hawkeye Sports. Deputy Sports Editor Will Kennedy oversees high school reporting. Contact: [email protected]

Lucas Grundmeier, opinion editor: Has been with the Register for 19 years, serving as opinion editor for the past five. Originally from Des Moines and a graduate of Iowa State, he previously worked as a copy editor, breaking news editor and planning editor. Contact: [email protected]

Brian Smith, audience growth strategist and editor of Iowa Connect: Has been with the Register for 12 years, having been hired right out of college at Iowa State. Originally from Davenport, Brian works to grow digital audiences through newsletters and social media (primarily Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok). He also oversees Iowa Connect, a three-person team focused on service journalism, trending and breaking news. And he is the director of the Des Moines Storytellers Project. Contact: [email protected]

Zach Boyden-Holmes, photo editor: Has worked in photo editing for 12 years, starting as a photo editor for the Register’s Juice Magazine, a publication for young professionals. He later moved on to staff photographer for the Register and was promoted to photo editor last year. Originally from Davenport, he is a graduate of the University of Iowa. Contact: [email protected]

Kim Norvell, Communities Editor: Has been with the Register for nine years, seven as a reporter and the past two as community editor. Originally from Nebraska and a graduate of Iowa State, she mentors reporters who cover the city of Des Moines, its eastern and western suburbs, and breaking news. Kim is also the director of content for the Des Moines Storytellers Project. Contact: [email protected]

Bill Steiden, Business and Research Editor: Joined the Register five years ago after 19 years as a writer and editor for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and its parent company, Cox Media Group, and 11 years before that at the Sarasota, Fla., Herald-Tribune. Contact: [email protected]

Susan Stapleton, entertainment editor: Hired as entertainment editor two years ago, she is also our food reporter. This is her second tour with the Register, having previously served as food reporter in 2015 and 2016. She grew up in the Davenport area and graduated from the University of Iowa. Contact: [email protected]

Matt Peterson, senior audience manager: Oversees the planning, presentation and promotion of Register content across all platforms, including print, our main website, apps and social media. He worked at the Register for 3½ years and before that spent 13 years at Gannett’s Springfield, Missouri-based newspaper, the News-Leader. Contact: [email protected]

In addition, Brandon Hurley, editor of the Ames Tribune and the Iowa City Press-Citizen, helps supplement the Register’s reporting with stories and photos from those Iowa sister papers. Contact: [email protected]

I encourage you to contact these editors if you have story ideas, questions, or comments.

Carol Hunter is the Executive Editor of the Register. She wants to hear your questions, Please send story ideas or concerns to 515-284-8545, [email protected] or on Twitter: @carolhunter.