Deseret News honors staff members for 2008 achievements

The Deseret News recognized its own for veteran service and outstanding achievement Wednesday afternoon at its 38th annual Awards Luncheon in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

Editor Joe Cannon presented awards to current and recently retired employees.

He said that the five-member Deseret News Board of Directors will complete its service next week. A restructuring plan by Deseret Management Corp., which oversees the Deseret News and other LDS Church-owned companies, is releasing all such boards by April 15.

Deseret News board members are Chairman Ellis R. Ivory, Darrell Nilson (vice chairman), Ruth Lybbert, Clint Ensign and Clark Gilbert.

Ivory received a special "extraordinary achievement award" for his four years as chairman and 13 years on the board. Cannon said Ivory displayed a special appreciation for the history and future of newspapers and has a gift of honestly considering what others have to say.

"I've loved those 13 years," Ivory said.

In addition, 15 employees were recognized for distinguished service, ranging from 15 years to 35 years. And 24 former employees were "Distinguished Service Honorees."

Winners of the 2008 achievement awards were:

 Mark E. Petersen Excellence in Writing Award: Carrie Moore.

 Robert D. Mullins Excellence in Reporting Award: "Team Texas" — including Ben Winslow, Chuck Gates, Brian West, Scott Winterton, Tim Hussin, Keith Johnson, August Miller, Nancy Perkins, Pat Reavy, Mike Terry and Amy Joi O'Donoghue — for coverage of the FLDS raid and aftermath in Texas.

 L. Glen Snarr Outstanding Performance Award: Brady Mortensen, Mary Archbold and Heidi Perry, for their work on the new computer system; Lisa Riley Roche, for her coverage of Mitt Romney's presidential bid.

 Visual/Graphic Award: Laura Seitz.

 Special Merit Awards: James Edward, Sara Israelsen-Hartley, Jessica Harrison, Jasen Lee, Kari Morandi and Mark Reece.