Name: Steve Leone
Occupation: Concord Monitor News Editor
What do you enjoy most about working at the Monitor? What made you want to come to the capital city?
I’ve always thought a newsroom is a pretty exciting place to be. I’m not sure there’s a better way to get to know a community than to be immersed in its events and happenings seven days a week. Coming here was a big decision for my family. The paper certainly has a national reputation for excellence, and becoming part of that was a big part of the draw.
What is your favorite thing about Concord itself?
It’s location is pretty ideal — an hour to Boston, an hour to world class skiing and hiking, fairly close to the coast. In Concord itself, it seems to have a real nice mix of city amenities and small-town qualities. I can’t wait to really start exploring. I’m sure I’ll be following my taste buds.
What’s the biggest/most important story you’ve ever been a part of?
I’ve been involved in lots of big news stories over the years, but I’d have to say the most challenging was in Peterborough in December of 2008. I had arrived in town from the sunny Bay Area in California about eight days before a massive ice storm cut out power for as long as two weeks in some towns. We had to figure out how to get out a newspaper and cover this major event, all without power. It was definitely a lesson in coming together and knowing your resources. It also showed me how tight-knit our New Hampshire communities can be.
How much has the newspaper industry changed since you started?
I actually remember hearing someone say the internet was a fad. In fact, they may have used the term “information superhighway.” News organizations are going to keep evolving alongside the technology. The key is to maintain our objective –to provide useful and timely information.
Do you have plans to run for Governor some day?
I wouldn’t mind the reserved downtown parking space.
As an editor, do you consider letters addressed to the editor “fan mail?”
Of course. I mean, what other business allows its customers to openly question everything they do? I think they’re great, and it’s usually the first thing I look for when reading other papers.
Do you have any ideas on how to make the Insider the most powerful news entity in all the land?
More stories about food.
What is your favorite movie/TV show about a newspaper?
I loved the newsroom scenes from inside the Baltimore Sun in The Wire.
If there was a movie made about your life, who would you want to play you?
I’m smart enough to not answer a question like that. That’s how people end up with nicknames.
What do you enjoy doing most on a day off?
Getting out with the family. You’ll see me around. I’ll be the guy getting pulled in different directions by my kids.
Leone is Italian, so do you prefer pizza or pasta?
Give me a good wood-fired pizza.
If you weren’t in journalism, what would you be doing?
I actually considered a career in archaeology when I was in college, so who knows, maybe I’d be sifting through dirt in Olduvai Gorge looking for the next “Lucy.” This job is less painful on my back.
Guilty pleasure?
Bacon.
Hidden talent?
I can juggle. And I think I can still remember how to moonwalk.
