For nine years Eugene Sonn was the familiar voice covering New Jersey politics and the state house in Trenton for WHYY, in partnership with WBGO FM in Newark, N.J.
While on that beat, Gene won several awards, including from PRNDI (Public Radio News Directors Inc.) for covering former Gov. Jim McGreevey’s resignation speech in 2004.  Other notable stories he covered then included the anthrax attacks on the postal system after 9/11, the 2006 state government shutdown, James Dale v. Boy Scouts of America (challenging ban on openly gay scout leaders, which went to U.S. Supreme Court), and racial profiling by the New Jersey State Police. While following wildlife biologists in 2003, Eugene Sonn “interviewed” a black bear in northwestern New Jersey.  The bear had been captured in a leg hold trap and tranquilized before the biologists examined it and took specimens to help track the rebounding bear population. For the record, the bear did not like the idea that New Jersey was going to allow hunting for the first time in three decades.

After spending more than two years taking care of his first son and doing freelance reporting for various local and national outlets, he returned to WHYY in April, 2010 as Audio News Director. Under his direction, WHYY has won the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association Joe Snyder Award for Outstanding News Service several times. He lead the team through coverage of the Amtrak train #188 crash in Philadelphia, Pope Francis’ visit, the 2016 Democratic National Convention among other big stories.

Gene first came to our region to attend Swarthmore College. He spent three years working for public radio station WRVO in Oswego, N.Y. before leaving behind that town’s annual epic snowfalls. These days Gene lives in Bucks County and daydreams of spending more time biking on the quieter roads there. However, he and his wife Jess are busy raising two young sons.  Having grown up in Carlisle, Mass., he’s still a rabid fan of the Boston Red Sox.

Executive Editor Trent Spiner, 32, of Concord, leads an experienced news team focused on comprehensive coverage of New Hampshire, including aggressively reporting local and state political news, as well as New Hampshire’s high profile first-in-the-nation Presidential primaries. After being named to the post in 2015, Spiner has focused on boosting the Union Leader’s digital presence and social media strategies. Previously, he was a reporter for the Concord Monitor and Union Leader. He was a news assignment editor at WMUR-TV, where he was also a manager of the Hearst station’s website and social media output.

Chief Gary Taylor has more than 41 years of full time law enforcement experience. He also is the Public Safety Director for St. Albans, where he serves as Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director 20 years of experience in both disciplines.  Taylor has extensive training by the FBI National Academy and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Sonya Vartabedian is managing editor of features, magazines and special projects for North of Boston Media Group based in North Andover, Mass. She was part of the team that helped launch NOBMG’s magazine division in 2008 and now oversees production of the media group’s 12 quarterly lifestyle magazines as well as it quarterly business magazine. In addition, she manages the production of the special sections as well as the features sections for NOBMG’s four daily and four weekly papers, including The Eagle-Tribune. Sonya began her 30-year career in community journalism in 1988 as a reporter with her hometown paper, the then-daily Haverhill Gazette. In 1990, she joined The Daily News of Newburyport, where she spent more than 20 years as a reporter, features and magazine editor, and finally city editor. She then served for two years as editor of North of Boston Media Group’s Andover Townsman weekly newspaper before relocating to NOBMG’s main hub at The Eagle-Tribune in 2015.

Lt. Jason Wetherby: Is a decorated officer with 14 years full time law enforcement experience. He is Commander of the Northwest Special Response Team (Tactical Team), the Patrol Commander and oversees all Department special activities and events. His training includes training with the Special Operations Division of D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and Leadership in Police Organizations.

Eric Williams is a digital content producer and digital editor at the Cape Cod Times. He has experience as a reporter, videographer, photographer and podcast producer from concept creation to execution to the social media push.

Leah Willingham is a reporter for the Concord Monitor covering the towns north of Concord, health and education. She previously worked at the Daily Hampshire Gazette and New England Public Radio in Western Massachusetts.

Tom Zuppa is managing editor/days for The Sun of Lowell and Nashoba Valley Voice. He leads Digital First Media’s Lowell cluster efforts on public records and First Amendment issues.