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Randal C. Archibold, a reporter in the New York Times bureau in Los Angeles, is moving to Mexico City as bureau chief this summer. He will be joined by Damien Cave, currently the bureau chief in Miami. It represents a return to two reporters in Mexico City for the NYT. Archibold's slot in L.A. is being posted as an opening inside the paper. He's a former Los Angeles Times reporter and editor. The NYT's new Los Angeles bureau chief Adam Nagourney shows up this summer to take over from Jennifer Steinhauer. Memo after the jump.
Mexico City Bureau NewsWe’re delighted to announce that Randy Archibold will be our next Mexico City bureau chief as Marc Lacey moves to Phoenix, and that Damien Cave will join him as we expand the bureau to restore a second Mexico City position.
Read more in this note from Susan Chira, Joe Kahn and Ian Fisher.
Randy and Damien could not be better placed for these jobs, and to work as partners to cover a story that has exploded not only in Mexico, but in Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Randy spent a great deal of his time as Los Angeles correspondent writing about border and immigration issues and teaming up on our War Without Borders series. That showcased his ability to dig deeply and write with compassion and insight about many of the issues he will now confront across the border.
Before his stint in L.A., Randy worked in Metro writing about education, politics (including the 2000 Senate race between Hillary Clinton and Rick Lazio and the 2004 vice presidential race of John Edwards), as well as anchoring a series, 125 Cedar Street, about people who lived in the shadow of the twin towers and found themselves without homes after 9/11. Before joining The Times in 1998, Randy worked at The L.A. Times for five years as a reporter and editor.
Damien arrives in Mexico via Miami and Baghdad, with a detour to Haiti to contribute a stream of memorable stories as part of our team coverage of the earthquake. As Miami bureau chief, he ranged widely, from memorable long form pieces like the psychological scars among women in combat to a smart political take on the Charlie Christ race to his knowing, fun essay on Tampa as host of the 2012 Republican convention. In Baghdad, he helped cover a pivotal year, including a memorable collaborative effort that showed street-level fears in Baghdad's neighborhoods about security. He also brings to his new assignment a commitment to innovative approaches on the Web and in video, working with his wife, Diana.
We look forward to Randy's and Damien's eyes on Mexico and beyond.
Rick Berke would like to add that Randy's job in L.A. and Damien's in Miami are now officially posted; please let him know if you're interested.
Susan, Joe, Ian