by David Chapman
Staff Writer
If you haven’t seen Frank Denton around town, don’t be surprised – he’s been a little preoccupied.
Denton was named editor of The Florida Times-Union in April after serving as interim editor following Pat Yack’s resignation in January.
That’s not all he does, though.
Since 2005, Denton has also served as vice president of news for Morris Communications, the parent company of the Times-Union and many other daily, non-daily and community newspapers. In that role, he acts as a consultant to each of the papers’ newsrooms.
Between the two duties, Denton hasn’t had much time to enjoy the finer points of Jacksonville since arriving earlier this year.
“I really haven’t had the opportunity to go out and experience all the things Jacksonville has to offer,” he said. “Eventually I will and I am looking forward to it.”
When he does manage to get out of the newsroom and away from the airport, he plans on taking advantage of the region’s many golf courses, will continue to take in shows and visit the area’s arts and culture venues.
Denton has managed to already enjoy the scenery and St. Johns River, though.
Weather and time permitting, he makes the mile-long walk along the Northbank from his Downtown condominium at The Residences at City Place (Berkman Plaza) to the newspaper’s office in Riverside.
“It’s not a bad walk,” said Denton, “and it really is beautiful along there.”
If he has his way, though, he won’t be making the walk too much longer as he’s been actively house hunting around Southside, San Jose, San Marco, Avondale and other areas close to the newspaper.
With the interim label lifted and Denton’s role with the paper more permanent, he can settle a little more and call Jacksonville his home.
It’s not always easy to do.
Like many people who work in the newspaper industry, Denton has called many places home in his soon-to-be 44-year career.
He’s served multiple roles in such newsrooms as the Austin-American Statesman, Detroit Free Press, The Cincinnati Inquirer, Wisconsin State Journal and The Tampa Tribune before arriving at The Times-Union.
His first experience with a newspaper came in the 8th grade, when he entered a journalism course because it “seemed like it might be fun.” As the only boy in a class dominated by girls, Denton was the sports guy.
He kept with it through high school and enjoyed it so much that he began his professional career while in college at the Statesman in 1964.
“One of the things I like about the industry is that every day brings something different,” he said. “You never really know what you’ll be doing when you walk through the doors.”
Looking back, he said some of his proudest journalistic moments included covering the The Texas Tower sniper in 1966 with the Statesman and extensive investigative reporting in the mid-90s with the State Journal on critical issues facing Madison, Wis. schools.
“I’m really proud of the ‘Schools of Hope’ work,” he said, referring to the project. “It was two years of investigation and research and it involved a huge amount of involvement from the community.”
After 44 years of work and memories, two daughters and accumulating a resume full of locations, positions and duties, Denton now finds himself in a new city with which he’s already impressed.
“It’s an interesting and energetic city,” he said of Jacksonville. “It’s not your typical Florida city. It’s diverse and is a great place for journalism on many levels.”
He’s not the only one pleased that he is here.
“It’s been a delight for me,” said Times-Union Editorial Page Editor Mike Clark. “He’s a person people want to work for. When he first arrived he showed he was an excellent listener and that’s the first step to creating trust.”
According to Clark, one of Denton’s first priorities was to reorganize and re-energize the newsroom. And he has, he said, with a personality mix that might seem to conflict.
“It’s weird but he’s both serious and funny,” said Clark. “Yet you’re always conscience he’s a serious journalist and the kind of journalist you want to surround yourself with.”
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