Hey. Help us welcome Eric Celeste, CL's new Editor in Chief

Just in time for Best of Atlanta, we've imported one of Dallas' best.

This morning, CL Atlanta publisher Sharry Smith announced that Eric Celeste has been selected to become our newest Editor in Chief. Or Head Honcho of the Editorial Department, as I'll refer to him when I've had two too many mojitos.

"I couldn't be more thrilled and excited about Eric joining the Atlanta Creative Loafing team," said Smith. "I really enjoy Eric's high level of enthusiasm and the fresh perspective he will bring to the city of Atlanta. Eric's passion for quality journalism and media innovation, as well as his impeccable leadership qualities make him perfectly suited to take the helm at Creative Loafing Atlanta."

Celeste's writing-editing career began in '94 when he became founding editor of The Met, an arts, culture and entertainment weekly in Dallas. Over the course of the next couple decades, Celeste worked as a features editor for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, served as associate editor of the Dallas Observer, editor in chief of Southwest Spirit — Southwest Airlines' in-flight magazine — and managing editor and editorial strategist for Dallas' D Magazine.

Besides industry experience, Celeste brings with him to Atlanta loads of web savvy, enthusiasm and a propensity to randomly work movie quotes into conversation.

"I'm incredibly excited to lead this talented group of journalists as we explore new ways to reach our audience," Celeste says. "I'm passionate in the belief that journalism can not only survive but thrive so long as we better understand our audience and where it is readers/viewers want to engage in conversations about their city. If that all sounds like generic industry cheerleading, well, duh, it's a press release. But I believe it. So there."

And a sense of humor. So, hey, help us welcome Eric. We're excited to have him and we think you should be, too.