The Ledger-Transcript recently welcomed new staff members, including a new reporter and two new marketing consultants.
Tyler Dion, who recently moved to Hancock, has joined the newspaper as a reporter.
Originally from Leominster, Mass., Dion said he is familiar with southern New Hampshire, having spent time in the Marlborough area during childhood visits to his grandfather’s cabin.
Dion graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in international relations and has a strong interest in investigative and international journalism. The Ledger-Transcript position is his first as a reporter.
Dion said he was drawn to small-town journalism as a way to begin his career.
“I’m not a city person at all,” Dion said. “I like visiting, and that’s about it. I understand you can get big stories there, but I like the environment in a rural community, making close connections. Working at a small-town paper seemed like a better way to get my start.”
Outside of work, Dion enjoys the outdoors, and likes to run, hike and rock climb. He also enjoys reading and playing chess.
Also joining the Ledger-Transcript staff is Liisa Rajala of Jaffrey, who is a marketing consultant for the Keene area.
Rajala’s parents are originally from New Hampshire, though she grew up in the Kennebunk, Maine, area. She and her husband moved to Jaffrey in 2020 for his work.
Rajala brings prior experience as a business journalist. She said her first introduction to the news industry was through an internship at the Kennebunk Post at the age of 17.
She graduated from American University in Washington, D.C., with a degree in international relations and a minor in communication. She has worked as a business journalist for the personal finance magazine Kiplinger, the NH Business Review and as an editor for U.S. News.
Rajala said she enjoys the relationship-building and creative aspects of marketing.
“I enjoy talking to business owners and building relationships,” Rajala said. “I like the creativity of the job. I have an eye for visuals and what is engaging to people, and I enjoy working with clients to make their advertising engaging and informative and creative.”
Outside of work, Rajala said she enjoys activities with her children, Liam, 6, and Ava, 4, including exploring the outdoors and visiting the Jaffrey Public Library and various children’s museums.
Liam Beecher of Wilton also joined the staff in a dual role as marketing consultant for the northern and eastern territories of the Ledger-Transcript’s coverage area and as circulation and classifieds manager.
Beecher grew up in Massachusetts, most recently living in Pepperell, and graduated from Thomas More College in May with a degree in liberal arts. He previously worked in the restaurant industry as a prep and line cook, and in his college’s admissions department.
Beecher and his wife Marie Beecher are expecting their first child.
Beecher said he has always had an interest in the newspaper and publishing industry. Between the ages of 7 and 11 he produced his own weekly publication, the “Warren Chronicle,” which he distributed to family and friends.
Outside of work, Beecher enjoys music and playing instruments, cooking, reading and writing.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.