About Us

The Mercer Island Reporter is a paid newspaper serving the affluent island community located on Lake Washington. Mercer Island is famous for its residential waterfront estates and celebrity residents, including Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The Interstate-90 floating bridge links this community to Seattle in the west and Bellevue in the east, a boon for island commuters and shoppers.

Your Community News Team

	Publisher Janet Taylor (425) 453-2710	Janet Taylor began her career in newspapers in 1988 with Lee Enterprises at the Missoulian in Montana. With more than 20 years devoted to the newspaper industry in one facet or another, Taylor remains confident in the future of community journalism. She believes in fair, accurate and relevant news to keep the community informed and connected. She and her husband of 34 years, Hank, enjoy skiing, tasting the fabulous wines of Washington, gardening, hiking, spending time with their family, their bicycles, the Harley and traveling.
	Staff Writer Linda Ball (206) 232-1215 ext. 5052	Linda Ball joined the Mercer Island Reporter in November 2010. Her beat is education and general assignment reporter. Previous journalism experience includes four years as an editorial assistant for the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Wash., and three years as a reporter/editor with the Coeur d'Alene Press in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Linda received her associate's degree in journalism from North Idaho College, and her bachelor's degree in communications from Lewis-Clark State College. Prior to her career in journalism, Linda was a real estate broker. She practiced real estate for 16 years in her hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, and four years in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Linda has one son who is attending college in Montana. Contact her at lball@mi-reporter.com.
	Editor Mary L. Grady (206) 232-1215 ext. 1050	Mary L. Grady has been the editor of the Mercer Island Reporter since October 2005. Mary was first hired at the Reporter in early 2002. She earned a degree in journalism from the University of Washington in 2001. Mary has won more than a dozen individual writing awards, and during her tenure as editor, the Reporter has won four General Excellence awards. Prior to becoming a journalist, Mary worked as an engineering economist and forecaster for energy companies. She holds both graduate and undergraduate degrees in applied economics. Mary is a native of Washington state and lived in Seattle before moving to Mercer Island in 2003. She and her husband, Kevin, have two daughters who have attended Mercer Island public schools. Contact her at editor@mi-reporter.com.
	Sports Writer Megan Managan (206) 232-1215 ext. 5054	Megan Managan is the sports reporter for the Mercer Island Reporter and the Kirkland Reporter, and also covers education on the Island. She has been with the Reporter since 2009, after spending several years working for the Lake Chelan Mirror in Chelan, Wash. She has covered a variety of areas, ranging from news to entertainment news, education and sports, including coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver for Sound Publishing. Megan graduated from Washington State University, earning a degree in journalism. E-mail Megan at mmanagan@mi-reporter.com and follow her on Twitter at MIRsports.
	Advertising Sales Consultant Theresa Baumann 206-232-1215 ext. 3050
	Creative Services Melanie Morgan (206) 232-1215 ext. 4050
	Photographer Chad Coleman (425) 453-4270
	Staff Writer Rebecca Mar (206) 232-1215	Rebecca Mar joined the staff of the Mercer Island Reporter in 2007 after graduating with a bachelor's degree in English from Northwest University, where she also received an associate degree. She is the office coordinator. Contact her at rmar@mi-reporter.com.