Deric Rothe, senior editor/general manager, (530) 852-0205, dericr@goldcountrymedia.com

Deric Rothe took the reins as editor of the Auburn Journal in March 1997. Rothe came to the Journal from the Sacramento Bee, where he was editor of the Elk Grove-Laguna Neighbors section. He grew up in Davis and is a California State University, Chico graduate. Rothe has won numerous California Newspaper Publishers Association, Society of Better Newspapers and Brehm Communications awards for feature reporting, editorial writing, promotion of literacy, front-page design, editorial pages and more. "What I love about community journalism is dealing every day with issues and stories that directly affect people's lives," Rothe said. "Everyone has a story to tell. You just have to listen." Along with his passion for news, Rothe enjoys skiing, whitewater rafting, kayaking and playing foosball on the Tornado table soccer professional tour. Rothe is the founder and chairman of the Auburn Community Festival and its giant pumpkin contest. He is also a member of Auburn Rotary Club. Rothe serves on the Rotary club's program committee and with its Thousand Smiles clinics in Mexico that benefit indigent children. He and his wife, Carmen, a local real estate professional, have three daughters and spend their free time enjoying the foothills and fixing up their home on the edge of the American River canyon. "If you have an idea for a news story, or a question about the Auburn Journal, please give me a call," Rothe said. "I am always happy to speak with readers. They are the lifeblood of our newspaper."