The Snoqualmie Valley Record welcomes new reporter Denise Miller and new account executive Christina Wester.

Denise Miller

Miller’s community reporting experience includes covering Seattle’s south end, Mercer Island and the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park. She also freelanced for the Los Angeles Times while earning her degree in journalism at the University of Southern California.

Miller joins the paper in a time of flux.

“Our staff has gone through some changes recently with the departure of Leif, our former editor and the promotion of Seth to editor,” said publisher Jim McKiernan. “We will also be losing Sue Randall soon and with that, another set of eyes reading pages and stories prior to publication. Denise brings a detail-oriented eye to our staff that will be reflected in the quality of our product. She is genuinely enthusiastic and cares about community journalism.”

Miller said she looks forward to learning more about Valley residents and reporting on news that matters to them.

“I can’t wait to meet community members and tell their stories,” Miller said. “I believe that local papers can empower citizens.”

Covering education particularly excites Miller, who has spent years working and volunteering in schools. Throughout college, she mentored children near downtown Los Angeles, and she recently spent a year in Madrid, Spain, working as an English language assistant at a bilingual elementary school.

Christina Wester

A three-year resident of North Bend, Wester looks forward to getting to know even more Valley residents through her job.

“I like being a part of the community, meeting local business owners and helping them reach out to more members of the community,” Wester said.

Wester’s enthusiasm and diverse work history enable her to help clients get the most out of their advertisements.

“Christina is going to be a real asset to the office,” McKiernan said. “Her mortgage and real-estate sales experience will give her a head-start on helping clients with their marketing needs. We feel lucky to have her join our team.”

Wester has also worked as an account executive for the Daily World in Aberdeen.

A self-described “hockey mom,” Wester is devoted to her three children, ages 22, 16 and 6. She spends much of her free time cheering on her 16-year-old son at hockey games all over Washington and Oregon.

“I love the mountains, the fresh air and the trees,” she said. “And the Seahawks.”

Wester also relishes the interaction she’s having with Valley residents.

“In this job, you are the face of the community,” she said.