Chris Coates

Chris Coates currently serves as the Senior Director of Local News at Lee Enterprises, where responsibilities include leading strategies for various newsroom teams and overseeing newsrooms across multiple states. Previously, Coates held positions such as Virginia State Editor, Executive Editor at Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Central Illinois Editor at Lee Enterprises, earning notable accolades such as the Illinois Press Association Editor of the Year and recognition from Editor & Publisher as an "Editor Extraordinaire." Coates boasts extensive experience in journalism training and has received multiple awards for audience engagement and digital innovation. Educational background includes a BA in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia College Chicago.