Published: September 11, 2006 11:20 pm      

Former assistant managing editor of The Star named communications director for state Democratic party

JACKSON — Veteran Mississippi journalist and former assistant managing editor of The Meridian Star Terry R. Cassreino has been named director of communications for the Mississippi Democratic Party, party officials announced Monday.

In his new role, he will help coordinate and spread the party’s political message and agenda statewide.

Cassreino, 45, who began work Monday, left The Star last year. He was named to the Democratic Party post after spending more than 22 years working in newspapers across the state, including the past year as assistant managing editor at the Hattiesburg American.

“We are pleased to have Terry on board,” said Keelan Sanders, executive director of the Mississippi Democratic Party. “His experience, leadership and professionalism are an asset to the Democratic Party.”

Cassreino said he is ready to get to work.

“This job gives me an opportunity to promote and work for political causes in which I believe,” Cassreino said. “I’ll have a chance to use my communication skills and abilities to help promote and effectively communicate the Democratic Party’s positions statewide.”

Cassreino is familiar with Mississippi politics. He covered the Mississippi Legislature, state government and state politics as capitol bureau chief for The Sun Herald in Biloxi from January 1988 to September 2000.

When Cassreino took over as assistant managing editor at The Meridian Star in July 2001, he wrote a weekly column that appeared in The Star and other newspapers across the state. He also has won several awards for his newspaper work.

That experience makes him ready to help the Democratic Party, he said.

From staff reports

“I will bring the same effort and dedication I had for the newspaper business to my work with the Democratic Party,” Cassreino said.