SAN FRANCISCO – April 5, 2021 – The San Francisco Examiner, long one of the most important brands in American journalism, has announced a slate of key hires to guide the title and its sister publications, SF Weekly and the Nob Hill Gazette, all part of the Clint Reilly Communications (CRC) media portfolio.

Carly Schwartz will helm the editorial operation as editor in chief following four years at Google, where she launched and operated the search giant’s global internal news operation. Prior to her role at Google, Schwartz served as deputy national editor of the Huffington Post and as the founding editor of HuffPost’s San Francisco bureau. Schwartz will oversee editorial across all aspects of the CRC portfolio, including print, digital, social, video, podcasts and events.

“This is one of the most interesting moments of our time for local news, in one of the world’s most fascinating cities to explore,” Schwartz said. “As we emerge from the pandemic, I’m excited to create a platform that unites San Francisco’s diverse communities through storytelling, and to find new ways to make an impact under the umbrella of a storied legacy brand.”

A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism with extensive experience both in the United States and in Latin America, Schwartz brings sterling journalistic credentials and a keen understanding of the rapidly shifting dynamics of new media. As founder and editor in chief of Google’s Daily Insider, she oversaw a global team that produced a daily news product about Google and the wider technology industry for the company’s 135,000 global employees every morning. During her time at Google, she also co-founded the women’s media venture Trix magazine, where she served as editor in chief for three years.

“Identifying the right candidate to oversee the editorial vision of our portfolio was no easy task,” explained Examiner owner Clint Reilly. “I’m excited by everything Carly brings to the table: deep, firsthand knowledge of San Francisco, an entrepreneurial spirit, nuanced understanding of digital media platforms and industry trends, a keen editorial perspective, and sparkling educational credentials, among other things. She is uniquely qualified to help us build the Examiner of tomorrow.”

Schwartz will be joined by two veteran San Francisco news professionals, Allen Matthews as director of editorial operations, and Al Saracevic as assistant managing editor for news and sports. Matthews will oversee all operational aspects of the integrated editorial program, calling on decades of experience as one of the Bay Area’s most respected editors. Saracevic joins the Examiner following a stellar career with the San Francisco Chronicle, where he oversaw high-impact coverage of health, business and sports. Matthews and Saracevic bring deep, wide-ranging institutional knowledge of the local news landscape and a shared reputation for excellence.

“Allen Matthews and Al Saracevic bring a treasure trove of experience to The Examiner and a granular understanding of what it takes to successfully operate a consequential local news organization,” said Reilly. “Their skill sets are extremely complimentary, and they will be valuable lieutenants for Carly as we begin the hard work of rebuilding the brand and bolstering the editorial operation.”

Matthews, a UC Berkeley alum, is widely regarded as one of the region’s most effective newsroom leaders. “I’m thrilled to join The Examiner at this pivotal moment,” moment,” said Matthews, who was a top editor at the San Francisco Chronicle for more than 20 years. “The title is deeply rooted in San Francisco’s history, but we’ll be thinking like a startup.”

Saracevic, a Rutgers University graduate, joins The Examiner after an award-winning career as an editor and columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle. Following stints as both business editor and sports editor, he directed the Chronicle’s coronavirus pandemic coverage in 2020. 

“Reinvention is part of San Francisco’s DNA,” said Saracevic. “I look forward to helping The Examiner forge a new path that serves the community with imagination and integrity.” 

Schwartz, Matthews and Saracevic are slated to join The Examiner on May 3.