Matt Bunk of Gilbert has been named managing editor of the Arizona Capitol Times.
“Matt is a talented journalist who has a strong background in business and political news — from both a reporting and management standpoint,” said Ginger Lamb, vice president and publisher of the Arizona Capitol Times. “He will be instrumental in enhancing the Arizona Capitol Times and building a better Web product every day.”
Bunk, formerly an assistant metro editor at the East Valley Tribune, has been a journalist for nearly 10 years, having worked at the Oakland Tribune and the East Valley Tribune. His beats as a reporter included covering the Bay Area economy, some of the largest public companies in the United States. and the energy industry during the most dramatic increases in gas and natural gas prices in more than 30 years. He also broke onto the national news scene while working a story about deadly asbestos contamination in the small mining town of Libby, Mont.
“But covering government is what drives me,” he said.
Bunk covered legislatures and state agencies in Montana, California and Arizona. While at the East Valley Tribune, Bunk led a team of reporters covering city beats in Mesa, Tempe, Chandler and Apache Junction. He also oversaw the state Capitol bureau.
“I believe strongly in watchdog journalism, which I think will be important in the coming years as Arizona’s lawmakers grapple with dwindling sales tax revenue, increased transportation costs, a burgeoning school system and a national election,” he said. “And the state no doubt will continue to draw the national spotlight as it confronts the myriad struggles that will arise as it moves to take more responsibility for what was once strictly a federal issue — illegal immigration.”
At the Arizona Capitol Times, Bunk will lead an editorial team of six, as well as several interns.
“I can’t say enough about the talent of the newsroom staff. They are some of the most knowledgeable professionals with whom I’ve worked in some time. There are very good journalists in almost every newsroom, but this entire staff is solid. It’s going to be my pleasure to be a part of it,” he said.
Readers can expect to see a number of improvements to the Arizona Capitol Times and azcapitoltimes.com over the next year to better serve them. Arizona Capitol Times is already posting breaking news from the Capitol on its Web site throughout the day as the news unfolds.
Coincidentally, Bunk had interviewed with Ned Creighton for a state agency and fill in House/Senate reporting position at the Arizona Capitol Times several years ago.
“My folks lived here and covering state government was what I wanted to do, so I really wanted to take the job. But I turned it down after much deliberation and later took a job at a very large newspaper group in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was one of those offers you can’t refuse. But I’m here now, so it all worked out for the best,” he said.
A native of North Dakota, Bunk began his career as a reporter for the Morton County and Mandan News in North Dakota. He also worked for papers in South Dakota, Montana and California.