Pender will serve as Senior Political Reporter, working closely with Mississippi Today leadership on editorial strategy and investigations.
“I’ve long admired Geoff’s work, and I couldn’t be prouder to work with him again,” said Adam Ganucheau, Mississippi Today Editor-in-Chief. “His deep understanding of Mississippi politics, along with the respect he’s earned over the years on both sides of the aisle, boosts our mission of providing our readers with the most informed political coverage in the state.”
Pender brings 30 years of political and government reporting experience to Mississippi Today. He most recently served as Politics and Investigative Editor at The Clarion Ledger, where he also penned a popular political column. While at The Clarion Ledger, Pender helped lead digital transformation for the legacy publication, while overseeing watchdog news teams and government reporting.
Over his 16 years with the Sun Herald, Pender’s investigations on the city and county level led to reform, prosecution and conviction. He went on to lead the capitol bureau as Political and Investigative Editor, and was a member of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team for Hurricane Katrina coverage.
“I am excited about this opportunity to join the talented news team at Mississippi Today,” said Pender. “I love my native Mississippi, and Mississippi Today has made and continues to make it a better place with its impactful journalism. I am honored to be a part of this team and contribute to Mississippi Today’s important mission.”
Originally from Florence, Miss., Pender is a journalism graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. He has received numerous awards throughout his career, including multiple Mississippi Press Association and other regional and national awards for his reporting, columns and his freedom of information efforts.
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