The Dallas Express Editorial Staff
At The Dallas Express, we take pride in our unbiased, people-centered publication. Producing informed, high quality news on a daily basis requires a team of dedicated and passionate people who strive at making a change. The individuals that make up our editorial staff come from varying backgrounds and life experiences that have proven to enrich our publication, shaping us into who we are today.
Declan Leary
Editor-In-Chief
​Declan Leary is the editor-in-chief of The Dallas Express. He was previously the managing editor of The American Conservative, a political magazine headquartered in Washington, D.C. His writing has appeared in publications, including National Review and The Lamp. He is the author of a forthcoming book on political history from Regnery Publishing. Declan is a member of The Dallas Express Editorial Board. To see the articles he has contributed to as a board member, visit The Dallas Express Editorial Board page.
James Bennett
Managing Editor
James Bennett is the managing editor of The Dallas Express. James has led four newspapers to general excellence awards in four different states during his 40-year career. Two of those newspapers were at his last stops: The Anniston Star in Alabama, where he was an executive editor for two years, and the Columbia Daily Herald in Tennessee, where he was editor-in-chief for six years. James worked half of his career in sports journalism. He was a sports editor of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson and assistant sports editor of The Arizona Republic in Phoenix. He also worked in sports at The Seattle Times and The Miami News. Born in Culver City, California, but raised in Cookeville, Tennessee, Bennett attended the University of Tennessee, graduating with a B.S. in Communications. James is a member of The Dallas Express Editorial Board. To see the articles he has contributed to as a board member, visit The Dallas Express Editorial Board page.
Alexandra Rhone
Deputy Managing Editor
Alexandra Rhone is the deputy managing editor of The Dallas Express. Alexandra graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. She further earned a master’s degree in English Literature in 2019. Following the receipt of her M.A., she researched and wrote on the psychology and neurology of the brain, addiction, and attachment disorders for the medical practice Aftercare Doctors before becoming one of the first to join the staff of The Dallas Express in 2021. Alexandra is a member of The Dallas Express Editorial Board. To see the articles she has contributed to as a board member, visit The Dallas Express Editorial Board page.
Laura Irizarry
Senior Digital Publisher
Laura Irizarry is a Senior Digital Publisher for The Dallas Express. She is passionate about grammar, literature, and her two dogs, Bree and Ava. She was born in Puerto Rico and grew up on the border in Laredo, TX. She received a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Communications from Texas A&M International University. In her off time, she enjoys watching rom-coms, long walks on the beach, and piña coladas.
Heather Ridgway
Junior Digital Publisher
Hailing from Oklahoma, Heather moved to the great state of Texas in 2021. With a background in Microbiology and Forensics from the University of Central Oklahoma, Heather now fills the role at The Dallas Express of Junior Digital Publisher. Previously, she served in law enforcement in the State of Oklahoma as well as on a volunteer fire department and as a paramedic role at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. Heather is proud to be part of a team that reports the facts in a timely and professional fashion.
Charles Grand
Associate Editor
Charles is an Associate Editor at The Dallas Express. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas and then pursued a graduate degree at the University of Texas at Arlington, receiving a Master’s degree in History. He brought his talents to The Dallas Express in May 2022. Charles is a member of The Dallas Express Editorial Board. To see the articles he has contributed to as a board member, visit The Dallas Express Editorial Board page.
Michele Greer
Junior Editor
Michele Greer holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and lectured at universities in France and South Korea for 10 years. A native of Central NY, she lived abroad for 16 years and is an endless source of random anecdotes. When she isn’t in front of her computer, she is either out on an adventure with her two Jindo mixes or buying them over-priced dog treats which they may or may not eat.
Andrew Afifian
National Correspondent
Andrew Afifian covers national news for The Dallas Express. His writing has appeared in several publications, including as op-eds in the Washington Examiner and the Daily Caller. He has a dual degree in political science and biology from SMU and holds a juris doctor from Fordham University School of Law.
Andrew Norsworthy
Breaking News Reporter
Andrew Joseph Norsworthy joined The Dallas Express in October 2022. He attended school at Abilene Christian University, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Convergence Journalism. Andrew had the pleasure of serving as a reporter for the Optimist and KACU/NPR, serving the City of Abilene and Taylor County before home to the metroplex.
Andrew Terrell
Staff Writer
Andrew Terrell covers local business, commercial and residential real estate, and macroeconomic topics for The Dallas Express. He previously covered City Council, Planning & Zoning, and Urban Development for The University Star at Texas State University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude from The School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Jonathan Richie
Senior Reporter
Jonathan covers local politics for The Dallas Express and has a background in historical research. He graduated with a degree in Classics from Houston Christian University in 2017, having studied Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. After attaining a Master’s degree in History, Jonathan is currently a doctoral candidate at Liberty University.
Justin DeSales
Staff Writer
Patrick Hauf
Senior Reporter
Patrick Hauf covers national politics and investigative reports for The Dallas Express. He previously worked as a reporter for Fox News and the Washington Free Beacon. He is a Maryland native, alumnus of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, and a huge fan of the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles.
