Steve Warmbir named Sun-Times managing editor

Chicago Sun-Times

Veteran Chicago journalist Steve Warmbir has been named managing editor of the Chicago Sun-Times. His promotion topped a management reorganization announced last week by editor-in-chief Chris Fusco.

In his new role, Warmbir will oversee all print and digital content (excluding the editorial board’s) and manage day-to-day administrative operations of the newsroom, according to Fusco.

“Steve will draw on his wealth of experience to create a collaborative environment between reporters, news columnists, editors, breaking-news reporters and our audience-engagement and visual teams,” Fusco said in a statement.

Steve Warmbir

Warmbir, who began his career at the Daily Herald, joined the Sun-Times in 1999 and previously worked as an investigative reporter, federal courts reporter, deputy editorial editor, and assistant managing editor for metro news. He most recently was director of digital and editorial innovation.

“I am lucky to be asked to help run a newsroom with reporters and editors so dedicated to their craft and who serve the city we all love,” Warmbir said. “There has never been a more relevant or exciting time for local journalism."

Warmbir, who grew up in Chicago and west suburban Downers Grove, holds degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University. "Clout on Wheels," his landmark investigative series with Tim Novak exposing the city of Chicago's scandal-plagued Hired Truck Program, won the George Polk Award in Journalism in 2005.

In other personnel moves at the Sun-Times:

  • Kathy Chaney was named deputy managing editor, breaking news and staff development.
  • Dave Newbart was named deputy managing editor, news.
  • Lizzie Schiffman Tufano was named director of audience engagement and special projects.
  • Bill Ruminski was named director of metro news.
  • Lauren FitzPatrick will move from education investigative reporter to the Watchdog investigative reporter.

Said Fusco: "As 2019 begins, our goal at the Sun-Times is simple: Write engaging stories and produce first-class multimedia content that grows our digital and print subscriber bases and shows advertisers we are the go-to news organization in the Chicago market."