Jon K. Broadbooks joins the Illinois Association of Realtors as Communications Director.

Starting January 9, Jon K. Broadbooks will begin his new position as communications director of the Illinois Association of Realtors (IAR).

“We are pleased to have an experienced and accomplished communications leader join the Illinois Association of Realtors staff at the IAR headquarters in Springfield,” said Gary L. Clayton, CAE, RCE, chief executive officer of the IAR.  “Our association is the sixth largest state Realtor association in the country and our 44,000 members are active politically and as strong advocates for a healthy business environment. We look to Jon’s expertise to help communicate the Illinois Realtor’s unique role in protecting private property rights.”

As executive editor for The State Journal-Register, a daily newspaper covering Springfield and the surrounding communities, Broadbooks has accumulated many accomplishments including overseeing the state journal’s website and websites directed towards medical and political roles. This past year, Broadbooks was also appointed to run editorial operations for The Lincoln Courier, a sister publication.

Broadbooks has been an active board member of The Associated Press Managing Editors since 2007 and the Illinois Associated Press Editors Association since 2010. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history/political science from King College, and a master’s degree in communications from the University of Tennessee.

His prior experience includes his work as editor for The Observer-Dispatch in Utica, N.Y., and The Hattiesburg (Miss.) American. He has also held editing and reporting positions at newspapers in Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Broadbooks currently resides in Chatham with his wife, Catherine, and their three children.