GREENVILLE, S.C. — Sheila Propp has been named executive editor for Gulf Coast Newspapers.

She is currently editor of the Fairhope Courier, one of the eight community newspapers in Baldwin County owned by Crescent Publishing Co. LLC.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Sheila’s track record of professionalism and depth of local experience here in Baldwin County. She has already  begun the process of refocusing our efforts on what the people of each community, as well as the county, want from their local information sources,” said Bern Mebane, head of Crescent, which is based in Greenville, S.C.

In this new position, Propp will supervise and coordinate the editorial staff of Gulf Coast Newspapers, which includes the Baldwin Times (Bay Minette), Independent (Robertsdale), Spanish Fort Sun, Daphne Bulletin, Fairhope Courier, Foley Onlooker and the Islander (Gulf Shores). She will ensure that the newspapers and editorial products published by GCN provide residents and visitors the vital local news and information they need and deserve.

“I look forward to working with the editorial staffs in each of our newspapers as well as the other members of our management team to continue to improve our newspapers and special products,” Propp said. “Reporting on Baldwin County news and the people who live here is a joy and a never-ending story. I’m glad to be part of the next chapter.”

She began her career with Gulf Coast Newspapers as a reporter at the Fairhope Courier in 1993, after receiving a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and public relations from the University of South Alabama’s adult degree program. She has served as the editor of that newspaper since 1994. During her tenure as editor, the Fairhope Courier has five times won first-place for public service in the Alabama Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest and other BNC awards.

“Each of the communities in Baldwin County adds its own distinctive flavor and contribution to the rich quality of life we enjoy,” Propp said. “Our company’s goal as we move forward is to intensify our coverage of these communities in this beautiful part of Alabama that we call home.”

Propp is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Alabama Press Association, past president and current member of the Fairhope Rotary Club, co-chair of the Fairhope Veterans Memorial Committee and member of the Citizens for Local Troop Support Committee. She is married to John Propp, an insurance executive. They are members of First Baptist Church of Fairhope. The couple has two grown sons, Miles and Taylor, and one grandson.