NATCHEZ — Ben Hillyer has been named news editor of The Natchez Democrat, natchezdemocrat.com and affiliate publications.

Hillyer has a long history with The Democrat and has worked as photographer, creative director and most recently design editor.

“I’ve often said Ben is like one of those special athletes a football team occasionally has who is good at everything he touches,” said Kevin Cooper, publisher of The Natchez Democrat. “If newspapers were like football, Ben is talented at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and the offensive line.

“We’re very fortunate to have him on our team and have him leading our newsroom,” he said.

Hillyer said he’s excited by the new role at the newspaper.

“When I moved to Natchez in 2000, I was welcomed into a community that is unique, vibrant and always exciting to cover,” Hillyer said. “Fifteen years later, I am fortunate to be covering news in the community I now call my hometown.”

A native of Carollton, Ala., Hillyer and his wife, Amelia Salmon, have one son, Gibson.

A graduate of Mississippi State University’s School of Architecture, Hillyer is a licensed architect and worked as an architect for nearly a decade before starting his career with newspapers in 2000 when he joined The Democrat as a photographer.

His photography, writing and design work for The Democrat has earned numerous state, regional and national awards, including his being a two-time winner of the Mississippi Press Association’s Aimie Block Herscovici Award for photo of the year.

He can be reached at 601-445-3540 or by email at ben.hillyer@natchezdemocrat.com.