Gray Matters Promotes Gatling, Announces Additional Hires

Paul Gatling has been named associate publisher of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, it was recently announced by Darin Gray, president and CEO of Gray Matters LLC, the magazine’s parent company.

Gatling, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Henderson State University in 1998, began with the Business Journal as an assistant editor in February 2011 and was promoted to editor in May.

The Bryant native will report to publisher Rob Gutterridge, who was promoted in August following a change in ownership of the Business Journal, which had been operating under joint ownership for nearly a decade.

Gray is now the sole owner of the Business Journal and three other publications, as well as the Internet site nwabusinessjournal.com.

“Paul has quickly risen through this organization because he has a passion and dedication to provide exclusive B2B content to our readers and advertisers,” Gray said. “It did not take long for him to begin to understand and play a role in the bigger organizational picture of Gray Matters.

“Paul and Rob will make a great leadership team as we move towards the future of this company.”

Gatling will continue to lead the magazine’s day-to-day editorial operations, as well as production of Gray Matters LLC’s annual special publications such as Northwest Arkansas Guest Guide, Northwest Arkansas Newcomers Guide and Northwest Arkansas Book of Lists.

Gray Matters also hosts annual events for best-in-class professionals — Forty Under 40 and Fast 15 — as well as the A-List, an event designed to honor excellence in the residential real estate industry.

The leadership shuffle at the Business Journal has also been accompanied by additional personnel moves.

Recent new hires include:

Richard Massey; assistant editor

Jennifer Joyner; assistant editor

Chloe O’Connor; art director

Ethan Passmore; brand strategist

A Texas native with a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and a master’s in journalism from the University of Mississippi, Massey joined the Business Journal in late May.

Massey previously spent eight years (2003-2010) as a reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

He has also reported for The Galveston  County Daily News in Texas and The Clarksdale Press Register in Mississippi.

“Richard is a bulldog, plain and simple,” Gatling said. “He has a broad skill set and a tremendous amount of reporting experience, and I’m glad to have him. His work ethic and attitude are a good fit for us.”

Joyner joined the Business Journal on Sept. 30. She’s been a reporter for the Saline Courier in Benton since May 2012.

An El Dorado native, Joyner is a 2011 graduate of the University of Arkansas, where she earned her bachelor of arts in print journalism, and served as a copy editor and senior staff writer at The Arkansas Traveler, the UA student newspaper.

“I am very excited Jennifer is joining our staff,” Gatling said. “She is a solid writer and is committed to helping us take our coverage up a notch.”

O’Connor worked as a graphic designer, page designer and copy editor at Northwest Arkansas Newspapers for 2 1/2 years before joining the Business Journal in May.

She has a bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University, and a master’s degree in magazine, newspaper and online journalism from Syracuse University. She grew up in the Boulder, Colo., area.

“Chloe’s skills are second to none, and she has been a tremendous addition to our team,” Gatling said. “We’ve always been proud of our creative services, and having Chloe will make us even better.”

Passmore, a Bryant native, was promoted to his current job Aug. 26.

He started with the Business Journal as a part-time administrative assistant in August 2012.

Passmore, who was accepted into the UA School of Law, holds undergraduate degrees from the UA in pre-professional kinesiology (2012) and biology (2013).