Florida Times-Union executive editor Mary Kelli Palka is leaving the newspaper after six years of leading the newsroom and nearly two decades as a reporter and key news editor, she announced to staff Wednesday.
Palka, the first woman and first Jacksonville native to lead the Times-Union, joined the newspaper in 2003 as a staff writer, and has served in several roles, including investigations editor and managing editor.
“Leading my hometown newspaper has been a dream job, especially working with such dedicated journalists,” Palka said. “It has been a privilege telling the stories of the First Coast. Leaving was a difficult decision for me to make, but I look forward to finding new ways to serve my community as I move on.”
Palka also served as market leader in Jacksonville and as Deputy Regional Editor over North Florida newsrooms in Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Gainesville, Ocala and Leesburg.
