Omega Institute hires former Journal top editor

Meg Downey, a former senior editor at the Poughkeepsie Journal and the Nashville Tennessean, has been named chief marketing officer of the Omega Institute.

Downey served as editorial page editor and executive editor at the Poughkeepsie Journal and, most recently, was managing editor of The Tennessean, both Gannett news organizations.

"Meg brings strong communications expertise, a unique skill-set and shared values to the work of our marketing department," said Robert Backus, CEO at the Town of Clinton retreat and conference site. "We are excited by what she will be able to contribute."

Downey has also served as an editor and contributing writer for 10 books, a magazine editor and a television news show co-host.

She taught a journalism seminar at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie for nine years and has served on the boards of the Associated Press Media Editors, the National Conference of Editorial Writers (now the Association of Opinion Journalists), and the New York Fair Trial Free Press Conference

Downey lives in Millerton with her husband, Edward, an attorney and certified financial planner.

John Ferro: 845-437-4816; jferro@poughkeepsiejournal.com; Twitter: @PoJoEnviro