New Canaanite is pleased to announce that two town residents have joined the small council that advises Editor Michael Dinan on matters such as the news site’s coverage plan and opinion pieces.
Andrew Ault and Michael Chen joined the Editorial Advisory Council after Election Day. New Canaan’s Laura Budd, Rob Mallozzi, Julia Stewart and Doug Zumbach, emeritus, are sitting Council members. Regular attendees of the New Canaanite monthly coffee—presented on the first Thursday of each month in partnership with New Canaan Library and featuring Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee—the advisors respond to a wide range of questions from Dinan regarding New Canaanite’s tone, voice, guidelines and business.
Laura and Andrew Ault at Irwin Park.
A native of Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Ault and his wife, Laura, moved to New Canaan from New York City five years ago. He’s a 20-plus year veteran of advertising, entertainment and media who also has worked in public radio as a journalist for KFAI 90.3 FM in Minneapolis. “He and Laura love exploring New Canaan’s amazing green spaces with their dogs Sally and Penny, enjoying the non-Holland Tunnel peace and quiet of the New Canaan indoors with their rescue cats Bobby and Polly,” Ault said in his bio, which is viewable in full in the New Canaanite’s Our Team section.
A town resident for 27 years who currently serves on the New Canaan Board of Finance, Chen is general partner and CEO of Chen & Associates, an advisory services firm focused on the financial services, media, aviation, and food industries. He also serves as vice chairman of Grace Farms Foundation and as chairman of The CEO Forum. His background in media is extensive, including past president of NBC News’ Strategic Initiatives Group. He also served on the Board of Directors for The Weather Channel and had been president and CEO of GE Capital’s Media, Communications, and Entertainment business from 2006 to 2010. His full bio also is available in the Our Team section.
Michael, continued congratulations on your excellent work. Here is a question for your advisors: Would you advise Michael that having members of organizations that are subject to news coverage by New Canaanite on New Canaanite’s Editorial Advisory Council could create an appearance of a conflict of interest that could diminish the credibility of the news coverage? Such as Board of Finance and the budget it approves for the schools, the Chamber of Commerce’s position on parking near crosswalks, or Bankwell, if it were to seek a zoning variance from P&Z?
Greg, thank you for your kind words and question. The short answer is: An Editorial Advisory Council strengthens a news site like this one. New Canaan is a tight-knit community of involved residents who are generous with time and generous of spirit. I want feedback and guidance from such people. Involvement in this community is just what qualifies our EAC members, and I am very grateful to them. Thank you again.