Strine retires as Breeze editor, staff changes announced
A longtime Breeze Newspapers staff member is saying goodbye after a career spanning more than four decades in the industry.
Editor Chris Strine is retiring after 42 years with the Breeze Newspapers.
Strine first started in the production department with The Breeze before eventually moving over to editorial in 1984. He worked as a city reporter and then as sports editor and editor, a role in which he served until his retirement.
“It’s been great working for The Breeze all these years,” Strine said. “I’ve very much enjoyed it. I’ve always been thankful for the opportunities Ogden Newspapers gave me and I’ve been blessed to work for and with really good people. Leaving will be tough, I’ll miss everyone, but I’m ready for some new adventures with my wife and family.”
Of Strine, Breeze Newspapers Publisher Ray Eckenrode said, “Chris is perhaps the most even-keeled journalist I think I’ve ever met. His calming presence will be missed in our newsroom. During my seven years here, I’ve relied on Chris as a Breeze and Southwest Florida historian and, personally, I’ll miss that knowledge.”
Strine left briefly in early 1989 then returned to Breeze Newspapers in March of that year, and has remained with the company until today. He was editor of the Sanibel Islander for six years before returning to The Breeze as managing editor and eventually editor.
Executive Editor Valarie Harring, who has worked with Strine for decades, said, “Chris Strine will be missed in the newsroom and missed in the community. He was the face of The Breeze and the heart of the editorial team for decades. He left a legacy that will be hard to match but Tiffany Repecki, a longtime Cape resident and seasoned editor, is up to that task.”
Repecki will step into the role of editor, and Associate Sports Editor and Reporter CJ Haddad will now take over as Sports Editor.
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