Release: Patrick Rogers Named Executive News Director for People.com

People Magazine's reps just sent out a press release announcing the promotion of Patrick Rogers to executive news director for People.com. Previously, Mr. Rogers had been a senior editor at the magazine. Here he is on MSNBC discussing Thomas Beatie, aka, "the pregnant man" who appeared on People's cover this summer.

The release contained this statement from Office Pirate-turned-People.com editor Mark Golin: "Patrick’s intelligence, sharp editing instincts and level-headed guidance will be put to good use as the website is faced with increased competition in the category."

Full release below:

(NEW YORK, August 25, 2008) – PEOPLE managing editor Larry Hackett and People.com editor Mark Golin announced today that Patrick Rogers has been named executive news director, overseeing all aspects of news as it pertains to People.com, from the daily story flow to managing the ongoing print/dotcom integration and developing engaging news products for the site.

A PEOPLE veteran, Rogers was previously a senior editor at the magazine, in charge of politics, medicine, education, family issues and the arts. He joined the magazine in 1996 as a writer in the news and human interest sections and has travelled throughout the world writing and reporting on a wide range of subjects.

“Patrick’s intelligence, sharp editing instincts and level-headed guidance will be put to good use as the website is faced with increased competition in the category,” said People.com editor Mark Golin.

Rogers graduated from Yale and currently lives in Manhattan. He begins his new role on September 10.