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More than a decade ago, San Benito County residents identified a clear need: reliable local news. Leslie David was among those who answered that call. After years of leading BenitoLink, Leslie decided she was ready to pass the baton, and I’m proud to be the one taking it. The board of directors selected me as her successor, and I began as executive director on Oct. 12. Before anything else, I want to recognize Leslie and the impact she’s had.
Leslie has been part of BenitoLink from the beginning, serving as a founding board member, editor and executive director. With Leslie at the helm, BenitoLink has flourished and grown into a newsroom that covers the Board of Supervisors, reports on local schools and sports, shares the stories of our neighbors and makes all of it free to read.
Leslie also built a dedicated, talented staff whose commitment to BenitoLink is evident in every story they publish. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside them.
As I step into this role, I’m glad Leslie will remain closely involved. She’s joining BenitoLink’s board of directors, where her knowledge and experience will continue to guide the organization. I’m fortunate to have such a committed board behind BenitoLink, and I’m excited to work with them to build on its success.
Join us in celebrating Leslie on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1-5 p.m. at San Benito County Historical Park, 8300 Airline Highway in Tres Pinos. Please RSVP here.
On behalf of our staff, our board and our readers, thank you, Leslie.
My background
While I didn’t start my career in journalism, my interest in the field has been lifelong. As a child, I asked for a reporter’s notebook and a tape recorder for my birthday. I later served as editor of my high school newspaper and wrote for my college paper.
I’ve spent nearly a decade in the nonprofit sector, including time as program director for an art-focused adult day program and, most recently, as development director for an organization that runs a food pantry and thrift store.
In every role I’ve held, my work has centered on a core belief: everyone deserves equal access. Access to food, to creative expression and to accurate information about their community. Free local news ensures that residents can stay informed about decisions that affect them, whether or not they’re able to attend a public meeting.
I’m originally from the San Joaquin Valley, where I met my husband, a Hollister native. We’re proud to make San Benito County our home and look forward to building a family here.
Listening to the community
My first priority is to listen. BenitoLink serves this community, and I want to hear from residents about what they value in our coverage, where we can improve and what they’d like to see in the future. I can be reached at peytonsheets@benitolink.com. As Leslie has long said, our door is always open.
Looking ahead
BenitoLink has ambitious goals. We aim to become San Benito County’s official publication for public notices, helping keep local government business in public view. We’d love to add more reporters so we can cover even more of what’s happening across the county. We also hope to evolve our print format to better serve readers who prefer print or lack reliable internet access, and, in the long term, to establish a permanent home for BenitoLink.
Leslie and the many people who helped build BenitoLink have created something incredibly valuable for this county. I’m honored to carry that work on, and I look forward to meeting and hearing from many of you in the months ahead, starting at the celebration on Oct. 25.
Peyton Sheets
Executive Director, BenitoLink
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