Gary Larkin steps in as editor to carry on Riverdale Press legacy

Gary Larkin is the new editor of The Riverdale Press, bringing more than 30 years of journalistic experience to the Pulitzer Prize-winning Bronx community newspaper.

Stuart Richner — publisher of The Press and chief executive of its parent company, Richner Communications — was joined by newly installed executive editor Michael Hinman in making the announcement. Hinman spent the past five years at the helm of The Press, leading a team that won 29 state awards during that time — and more expected next month — including the New York Press Association’s top award last year for overall general excellence.

“We’re thrilled to introduce an award-winning journalist like Gary to the Riverdale/Kingsbridge community,” Richner said. “He’s a thought leader with a depth of journalistic and management experience and a keen understanding of community journalism.”

Larkin has led weekly and daily newspapers, primarily in Connecticut, most recently as the assistant managing editor for the New Britain Herald/Bristol Press. However, he grew up in Brentwood on Long Island, earning his bachelor’s degree in journalism from SUNY New Paltz in the mid-1980s, meeting his future wife — and fellow journalist — Fran Silverman while at an internship.

His career started in sports at the former Tri-State Gazette in Port Jervis and the North Jersey Advance before moving to the news side in 1989, beginning with a stint as business editor at the Register-Citizen in Torrington, Connecticut.

Larkin’s stops along the way included Brooks Community Newspapers in Fairfield County — the Westport News and Darien News-Review — before becoming editor-in-chief of the Hartford Business Journal. During those years, Larkin and his team won awards from a number of groups, including the Society of Professional Journalists and the New England Press Association.

Hinman now oversees some two-dozen newspapers, primarily on Long Island, as part of Herald Community Newspapers. He also will oversee The Press, and maintain an office in its North Riverdale headquarters.

“I’m very excited to introduce Gary to a community and home I love so much, filled with some of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever had the honor to meet,” Hinman said. “But Gary isn’t filling my shoes. He’s filling the shoes of a solid line of leaders beginning with our founders, David and Celia Stein, and continuing with not only the great Buddy Stein and Richie Stein, but also extraordinary editors like Marie Villani-York and Kate Pastor.”

Bernard Stein — affectionately known as Buddy — led The Press for decades, winning the Pulitzer for editorial writing in 1998.

“Driving through Kingsbridge and the rest of Riverdale, I can see why people want to live here,” Larkin said. “Between the lovely architecture of its historic buildings and the view of the Hudson River, what’s not to love? I plan on getting to know this area of New York City as I get acclimated with my new job.”

Gary Larkin can be reached at (718) 543-6065, Ext. 374, or at glarkin@riverdalepress.com.

“Newspapers like The Riverdale Press are more important than ever,” Richner said. “It’s been proven time and again that a neighborhood that thrives is a neighborhood with a local newspaper. And too many communities simply don’t have them.”