Len Hayward
Veteran Texas journalist Len Hayward has been named the new editor of the Rockport Pilot, South Texas News, Inc., Publisher Dennis Wade announced on April 7.
Hayward, 53, will assume his duties as editor on April 20, and will also help out with South Texas News’ sports coverage across the region.
“We are delighted to add someone with Len’s experience and talent to our team of editors,” Wade said. “We are confident he will take The Pilot to new heights and help the South Texas News brand continue to grow throughout the region.”
Hayward has spent more than 30 years working as a journalist in Texas, which included stops in Odessa, Fort Worth, Midland, Corpus Christi. He has also worked in North Carolina.
Hayward served as sports editor in Midland for 11 years, and then worked as sports editor and Saturday news planner with the Caller-Times in Corpus Christi for 10 years. During his time in Corpus Christi, Hayward was a regional sports editor with Gannett (now USA Today Inc.), leading sports departments in Amarillo, Abilene, El Paso, San Angelo, and Wichita Falls, along with his work at the Caller-Times.
“I have had the pleasure to work with Len in the past, so I know how valuable an addition he will be to our team,” South Texas News Content Director Coy Slavik said. “Aransas County will quickly learn to appreciate his talent as well.”
Hayward comes to the Pilot from the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi where he served for 18 months as a Senior Communications Specialist, writing press releases and handling media relations.
Hayward, a native of Ohio who has lived in Texas for more than 40 years, spent much of his career covering high school sports in Texas, including multiple state football and baseball championship games, and has also covered the World Series, NFL games, auto racing, and various college sports.
During the last decade of living in the Coastal Bend he’s become familiar with the vibrant communities, including Rockport, that are the heart of Texas’ coast.
“I’m looking forward to my return to community journalism, especially having the opportunity to work in Rockport,” Hayward said. “Rockport is one of Texas’ most vibrant communities, and I’m excited to have the chance to connect with its residents and be able to tell their stories.”
When not chasing stories, Hayward likes to read, especially books about history and novels, and is a fan of auto racing of all types.