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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR TIMOTHY E. "TIM" O'BRIANT, ONE OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE, RESPECTED, AND VERSATILE JOURNALISTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AS HE EMBARKS ON A NEW PHASE OF HIS CAREER.
Whereas, serving most recently as editor of the Aiken Standard, Tim O'Briant consistently has a finely tuned understanding of readers' needs and wants in a daily newspaper while maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity. At the same time, he also has been influential in designing and building the bridge that is now connecting newspapers' print and digital worlds; and
Whereas, Tim has long been the heart and soul of the Aiken Standard, serving as the chief newsroom leader, encourager, and teacher; and
Whereas, his career also includes responsibilities in advertising, circulation, and working with contract publications, such as Spurs and Feathers. Perhaps best known as a technology savant, he built in Aiken both a web and television presence for the Aiken Standard; and
Whereas, Tim began his journalism career as a reporter while a student at Winthrop University. He then worked for South Carolina newspapers in Florence and Walterboro before being hired as managing editor at the Aiken Standard in 2000; and
Whereas, during his tenure at the Aiken Standard, the newspaper has won the South Carolina Press Association's President's Award for Excellence, first place in general excellence, and first place in public notice journalism; and
Whereas, Tim also played a pivotal role in the conversion of the Aiken Standard from afternoon to morning publication; and
Whereas, Tim has served as a reporter, editor, page designer, and editorial and column writer. His writings have often served to unite the community, but he was not afraid to provide criticism when warranted; and
Whereas, while certainly not neglecting the print side, Tim deftly used his nuanced understanding of technology to develop a more robust and interactive web presence for the Aiken Standard, and he also developed programming for a leased cable television station; and
Whereas, Tim's skills produced live high school football broadcasts, complete with instant replay. He also provided live coverage of election debates and results, council and board meetings, parades, spelling bees, and other community events and served as on-air host or narrator for many events; and
Whereas, the newspaper's skills in television became so highly regarded that when the funerals of two Aiken Public Safety officers, who were tragically murdered within two months of each other, were televised live, the Aiken Standard was selected to provide the related video feed to Augusta television stations; and
Whereas, Tim and his wife Sharyn, a public school teacher, are the proud parents of two boys, Colin and Brendan. Both Tim and Sharyn have served not only their church but also their community through volunteer work. In particular, Tim has been a key member of the Aiken Kiwanis Club and Public Education Partners; and
Whereas, with his move to a new position in Georgia, Tim's services as a journalist, newspaper technology savant, and community leader will be greatly missed in Aiken and throughout South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Timothy E. "Tim" O'Briant, one of the most productive, respected, and versatile journalists in South Carolina, and wish him continued success as he embarks on a new phase of his career in Georgia.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Timothy E. "Tim" O'Briant.
This web page was last updated on February 3, 2016 at 11:54 AM