Virginia Giorgis, Fort Bridger resident, is the new editor of the Bridger Valley Pioneer.

Giorgis has worked at the Jim Bridger Trading Post & Giorgis Appliance Center prior to leaving for college, teaching and returning to the Valley. Her duties included general management. She also has an agricultural background growing up on a ranch south of Fort Bridger with “hands-on-help” in the ranch’s operation.

She served on the interim board, which helped set up the Bridger Valley Chamber of Commerce, and later served a term on the chamber’s board of directors.

Mike Jensen, Bridger Valley Pioneer Publisher, said “We are excited to have Virginia join our staff. We are confident she has the Valley’s interest at heart, and we look forward to her contributions to the Pioneer.”

Giorgis has also worked extensively in the field of journalism. She served twice on the staff of the Uinta County Hearld covering Bridger Valley and Uinta County. She reported for the Casper Star Tribune in which she covered Bridger Valley, Evanston and Uinta County for several years. Giorgis was also an on-air reporter and covered Bridger Valley for KQSW-FM, Rock Springs.

Giorgis said she is excited to take on this new challenge and feels her experience in journalism, business and agriculture will be an advantage in being successful as the editor of the Pioneer. She said she has already received positive feedback from the community on assuming the editor’s position at the Pioneer.

She has received several awards at juried photography shows and received an Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry for her poem, “The Mirror.”

In addition, Giorgis has worked extensively as a free-lance journalist and has been published in several publications including “The Colorado Fence Post.” She also researched and wrote “Bridger Valley’s Bicentennial Celebration 1776-1976” for the Valley’s bicentennial committee.

Giorgis earned a professional degree in Journalism and a degree in English Education from the University of Wyoming. While in college, she sold advertising and also worked as the organization editor and then assistance editor of the University’s yearbook, “The Wyo.” In addition, she was a member of Pi Delta Epsilon, the national journalism honorary.

She was inducted into Sigma Delta Chi, now know as the Society of Professional Journalists, when it opened its doors to women. She received a 25-year recognition award from SPJ for her professional achievements.

Giorgis also taught English and journalism at the high school in Riverton. Her classes included Publications Production, which covered both the high school yearbook and newspaper.