C. Josh Givens, the editor of the Leader-News in Central City, has been named a State At-Large Director of the Kentucky Press Association by President Peter Baniak, Vice President for editorial at the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Givens began his news career in 1994 at the News-Democrat & Leader as a sports and general assignment reporter. He attended Murray State University and is a 1990 graduate of Logan County High School, having grown up in the Diamond Spring community in north Logan County.
“I am honored to have been chosen for this position by Mr. Baniak,” said Givens. “Being a Board member of one of the oldest press organizations in the United States is not only important for the journalism field and the communities we serve, it is also a bit of a feather in the cap for a journalist.”
The KPA was founded Jan. 13, 1869, and will celebrate 150 years in 2019.
“My career has taken me to many different communities around Kentucky and I have never worked in any other state full-time, other than my time in the U.S. Army as a photojournalist,” said Givens. “Kentucky is a very special place to live and work, and I am proud to call it home. The very foundation of my career was laid in Russellville under the direction and influence of such folks as Mary Jane Smith, Kip Smith, Eugene Carnall, Jim Turner and Kathy Wilcutt Hathcock. I am proud to carry those lessons and the memories of those who are no longer with us everywhere I go.”
The Board of Directors for the KPA works to improve member benefits, provides First Amendment support, administer the Kentucky Press News Service and help develop legislative and lobbying priorities in the interest of the industry and the public good.
In addition to Russellville and Central City, Givens has held editorial positions in Bardstown, Bowling Green, Madisonville, Elkton, Morgantown and London. His work has also appeared in USA Today, The New York Times, Country magazine and Kentucky Cities magazine. Givens has received numerous KPA and national awards for his writing and photography.
He resides in Morgantown with his wife Rachel, a passel of rowdy boys and two semi-trained dogs. As well, the family operates Smith Funeral Home in Morgantown and is active in the community.
Givens is also a collector of vintage vinyl records, military artifacts of World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Viet Nam War, as well performing as an actor in feature films and music videos.