Edie Rogers has been promoted to Senior Content Editor, Kristen Morales becomes Senior Design Editor and Michael Beard is now New Media Editor.

"I’m delighted these three individuals have accepted this new challenge," Executive Editor Mitch Clarke said. "We have an experienced, dedicated staff that is excited about what our new Web site allows us to do. Putting Edie, Kristen and Michael into these new leadership roles is pivotal in positioning The Times and gainesvilletimes.com as the pre-eminent sources of news and information in Northeast Georgia."

Rogers, 37, has been with The Times since 1999, having most recently been the presentation editor. In the newly created position, Rogers will oversee the reporting staff and manage all aspects of local news coverage, including stories, photos, graphics and online multimedia. Rogers will be a primary contact for individuals seeking news coverage of local events.

"I look forward not only to the opportunity to serve a new role in The Times newsroom, but also to work with the community," Rogers said. "I am excited about the challenges facing me in guiding the reporting staff as we continue to produce quality work both for The Times’ print edition and our newly revamped Web site."

She previously worked for The Griffin Daily News, the Thomaston Times and the Jasper (Tenn.) Journal. She has worked in various newsroom roles from reporter to editor to page designer and has received numerous journalism awards. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of West Georgia in 1992.

A native of Rising Fawn in Northwest Georgia, Rogers is a North Hall resident and also serves as a member of the paper’s Editorial Board. Her husband, Scott Rogers, is a Times photographer.

Morales, 31, lives in Athens with her husband, Ed, and 4-month-old daughter, Sofia. In her new position, she will supervise the look of the newspaper and manage the copy desk and design staff. She will continue to oversee the Features department, daily Life section pages and Get Out entertainment magazine.

"I’m excited to be working with such a dedicated staff who is committed to serving this community," Morales said. "I’m committed to keeping The Times the most respected news outlet in North Georgia."

Before moving to Georgia she was a news and features designer at The Palm Beach Post in West Palm Beach, Fla, for six years. She has also worked as a designer at The Ventura County Star in Ventura, Calif.

Beard, 39, is a graduate of Johnson High School, Gainesville State College and The University of Georgia. A Hall County native, he lives in Flowery Branch with his wife, Melanie, public information coordinator for Avita Community Partners, and their son, William, a kindergartner at Lakeview Academy.

In his new post, Beard will oversee all content and operation of The Times’ renovated gainesvilletimes.com Web site. He supervises the look of the site and editing of the local video, audio and other content included.

"We’ve moved from having a very static Web site with limited depth to one packed with golden nuggets for those who go digging," Beard said. "Beyond local news, our Associated Press material offers a treasure trove of photos, podcasts and special pages on everything from baseball to health to technology, all of which is constantly updated."