A B.C.-born journalist has returned to his home province after more than 36 years away to take over the post of editor at the Nelson Star.
Gary Poignant, who most recently worked as news editor at the Edmonton Sun in 2016 at the end of a long career at the daily tabloid, is enthusiastic about his new post in the West Kootenays.
“Nelson is a vibrant city that has been recognized as one of the best places in Canada to live. I’m really looking forward to working with a great team at the Star to cover this remarkable town,” said Poignant, 60.
Poignant, who last worked in British Columbia at the now-defunct Kamloops News tri-weekly in 1981, began his journalism career in 1976. Poignant honed his skills at Cariboo College’s (now Thompson Rivers University) one-year Communications Media program.
He met his future wife, Linda — then an advertising rep at the Edmonton Sun — when she signed up for a 10-kilometre run he was organizing in 2000. The couple married in 2001 and have since gone on several running holidays around the globe, including two off-road marathons in New Zealand.
Poignant, who has been involved with numerous charities including the Canadian Cancer Society, recently joined the Nelson Rotary Daybreak club.
Bill Metcalfe, who has been the Star’s editor for the past year, has returned to the position of reporter.
With the announcement, Poignant also becomes editor of the Arrow Lakes News in Nakusp.
Poignant lives with Linda and their dog Harley in Nelson.