Story By Mary Bailey
There aren’t enough pages in The Reporter to write what Shannon J. Allen means to those on Sand Mountain. For almost four decades he has covered sports and watched generations of families grow up and now, he focuses on his family.
Shannon J. Allen resigned as publisher of The Reporter on May 8.
Allen, 58, served as the paper’s sports editor from 1988-2020. He served as publisher from 2020 until stepping down.
A graduate of Crossville High School and the University of Alabama, he also attended Snead State Community College.
“I prayed about my decision to leave The Reporter, and I’m at peace with it,” Allen said.
“I’m thankful to have been blessed with the opportunity to serve our wonderful community for the last 37 years. I treasure all the friendships and memories I have made. The community has been so good to me and the paper.”
Allen is grateful for his years on the field and behind the camera capturing once in a lifetime moments and encourages the community to continue to support The Reporter.
“The best thing that happened to me during my time with The Reporter is meeting Malarie Haven, who became my wife. Her love, encouragement and support have meant the world to me. I encourage you to continue supporting local journalism, because I believe it’s more important now than it’s ever been.”
Mary Bailey has been named Managing Editor and will take over many of the duties to make sure The Reporter continues to engage and support the community that helped to build it.
“My time at The Reporter started almost 20 years ago. I started from the ground up to learn everything that the newspaper had to offer which means my first job was in the back press room,” Bailey said. “I’ve delivered newspapers, hand stuffed inserts and eventually worked my way up to Assistant Circulation Manager. I wanted to learn everything I could so when I finally could work in the newsroom, I knew how things could be taken care of from every end.”
Bailey worked with Allen for many years and cherished their friendship and who Allen was as a leader.
“Shannon is one of the best people I know and there will never be another like him. He helped to make The Reporter what it is today, and I will do my best to continue to grow what he helped to build. I look forward to continuing to work with the community, our local leaders and guiding our staff at The Reporter. Shannon has inspired me to be a better person, a better friend and become a leader. If he believes in me enough to take on this new role within the company, then I have no other option than to believe in myself.”
Bailey is a 2002 graduate of Douglas High School and also has a Journalism Degree from Snead State Community College.
Druw Giamalva has been named the new sports editor for The Reporter.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be named the new sports editor for The Reporter,” Giamalva said. “I want to first and foremost thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for putting this opportunity in front of me. I want to thank my family, friends and colleagues for all of their support. I also want to thank our readers and subscribers; I promise to serve you to the best of my ability.”
Giamalva is a 2020 graduate of Southside High School. He graduated from Gadsden State in 2022 with an associate’s degree in Arts and Science and is also a 2024 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
“Shannon has meant a lot to me, and he has meant a lot to our community. I am so thankful that I had the incredible opportunity to work with him for the past year, as I learned so much under his guidance. I want to thank him for believing in me and I will always cherish our memories together. His presence will be missed, but I wish him nothing but the best.”
