There was no need to show the new Butler Eagle managing editor around the building or introduce her to the staff.

Donna Sybert started out in 1982 as an Eagle feature writer and photographer.

Last week, she was named the 150-year-old publication's managing editor.

It can safely be asserted that Sybert, of Middlesex Township, has done it all during her tenure in the Eagle's editorial department.

Most recently, she served as associate managing editor. She held that position for three years.

She worked as the paper's news editor for almost 23 years prior to that, which included designing pages, producing specialty editorial products and ensuring quality control in various publications.

During that time, Sybert also managed the copy desk staff.

Sybert worked as copy desk chief from 1989 until her promotion to news editor in 1995.

Among her many tasks in the newly created copy desk chief position were improving efficiency and quality in copy editing, writing headlines and placing photographs and graphics on the newspaper's pages.

She also managed the copy editing team and worked collaboratively with other departments at the Eagle.

Before that, Sybert worked for five years as the lifestyle editor and page designer, when she updated the department's coverage areas.

Sybert's initial job from 1983 to 1984 saw the young writer completing articles and snapping photos of events and people all around Butler County.

Tammy Schuey, the Eagle's general manager, said Sybert is a great fit for the position of managing the newsroom. She is thrilled that Sybert accepted the position.

“Because of her longevity at the Eagle, Donna knows our community inside and out,” Schuey said. “Also, she loves the news. It's in her blood.”

Schuey said because she has spent almost 40 years at the Eagle in various news capacities, Sybert understands all the processes involved in creating the editorial content that appears in the paper.

“And she has earned the respect of the people in the newsroom,” Schuey said. “She really has.”

Sybert has had cause since her promotion to look back over her years at the Butler Eagle, which she does fondly.

“Eagle wire editor Charles Duncil was my mentor during high school through the Moraine Trails Council Explorer Post at the newspaper,” Sybert recalled. “I later had the honor of working in the same newsroom with him.”

She also reminisced about her first experience four decades ago at the Eagle, which has been owned by the same family since 1870.

“My connection to the Wise family started in 1980, when John Wise Jr. took me on as a summer intern,” Sybert said. “He later hired me to be a Focus writer in 1982.”

Her career was shaped over the years by the many talented journalists and editors who have passed through the Eagle doors.

“I've worked with and trained under some of the heavy hitters in county journalism, including city editor John Thomas, Focus editor Penny Ritts, sports editor Mike Surkalo, entertainment editor Martha Clem and later, managing editor Mark Mann and city editor Dave Heastings,” Sybert said. “These editors all believed that the community and its stories are important.

“I, too, believe that sharing people's stories, making sure the readers have the information they need to make important decisions, and keeping watch over government entities for them is the role of a community newspaper.”

She also loves Butler County, where she has spent the majority of her life.

Sybert has attended events from the Portersville Steam Show to the Saxonburg Carnival, enjoyed local symphony concerts and theater performances, watched political debates, reported on fires and floods, attended municipal meetings and covered fundraising events.

She even climbed into a sprint car at Lernerville Speedway early in her Eagle career to complete a feature story.

“This county has leaders in many facets — government, education, nonprofit, industry, agriculture — who are planning for the future,” Sybert said. “I am excited to be a part of documenting our community's continued growth, the extraordinary lives of its citizens and working with a talented newsroom of exceptional journalists.”

The new managing editor also praised those in leadership at the Eagle.

“The newsroom would not be able to continue to serve the community without the vision of Publisher Ron Vodenichar and General Manager Tammy Schuey and the Wise family,” Sybert said. “Their work during this pandemic to keep the community informed through our various platforms — newspaper, website, social media and monthly business publication — has been nothing short of amazing.”

Sybert, a 1978 Mars Area High School graduate and 1982 Point Park College alumna, has been married to her husband, Steve, for 37 years.

She met Steve when he was an Eagle sports reporter and she an intern in 1980. He recently retired from the news business.

The couple have two grown children, Jeanna and Michael.