David Plazas
David Plazas has served as the AJC's opinion editor since 2025. He writes and edits columns and sits on the editorial board, which makes decisions on institutional editorial positions. A national award-winning journalist and former Pulitzer Prize juror, he previously worked at USA TODAY Co. for 25 years in Tennessee and Florida, in roles ranging from breaking news and education reporter to statewide opinion and engagement editor, focused on creating authentic, sustained and productive relationships with diverse communities racially, ethnically, geographically and ideologically.
He received his bachelor's degree in political science and Spanish and a master’s in journalism (Medill School of Journalism), both at Northwestern University, and his MBA from Florida Gulf Coast University. Plazas currently resides in Midtown with his husband and two dogs.
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