As a news site, Albany Scanner will retain full editorial independence over all news coverage and operations.

But the site is fortunate to have the dedicated backing of Albany News Project, a volunteer group of residents and professional journalists who are committed to supporting a local news site that is timely, credible, informative and unbiased.

Albany News Project will serve as an advisory group for Albany Scanner, offering input on community needs and interests throughout the year.

Albany News Project will also provide energy and organization for ongoing fundraising, helping develop events and build relationships with supporters in a variety of ways.

As a primary force helping to ensure Albany Scanner's longterm sustainability, Albany News Project will also receive financial reports on a regular basis.

The advisory group will not engage in news gathering or direct editorial policy.

Albany News Project members

Tod Abbott grew up in Walnut Creek, graduated from Cal and holds a master's in philosophy from Northwestern University. Tod is a self-employed web developer as well as an inveterate volunteer. He serves on the boards of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, Solano Avenue Association and Albany Community Foundation, and as a Parks, Recreation & Open Space commissioner.

Michael Cabanatuan has lived the Albany life for nearly 25 years — schools, PTA, Boy Scouts, Music in the Park, Little League and patronizing local businesses— as he and his wife, Adrianne, raised their son, Ben. During that time, he worked as a journalist, reporting on transportation and general news for the San Francisco Chronicle, from which he recently retired. He’s also worked at the Paradise Post, West County Times and Modesto Bee.

Mary Flaherty has worked in the news business for 20 years. She has a journalism degree from UC Berkeley and has worked as a reporter, copyeditor and editor for publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, some East Bay dailies and Berkeleyside. She covered Albany for The Journal in 1995 and wrote freelance for Albany Patch. She also ran the WriterCoach Connection program at Albany Middle School for 10 years.

Peter Goodman is owner of Albany-based book publisher Stone Bridge Press. He has served as in-house editor, ghost writer, translator and project manager on over 400 Japan- and Asia-related titles. Peter moved to Albany in 1985 after 10 years living in Japan and the UK. He is currently on the board of the Publishing Professionals Network.

Bryan Marten is a 20+-year resident of Albany who helped raise two children in Albany and serves on the Albany Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission. He volunteers in leadership roles in local and regional nonprofits. He has a B.S. in chemical physics and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and worked in the pharmaceutical industry doing computer-assisted drug design. He has been a high school science teacher for 25+ years.

Ken McCroskey is an East Bay native and Albany community activist and parent who has engaged with the city of Albany and community organizations to improve safety around transportation, and otherwise improve Albany, for 20+ years. He has helped plan, organize, publicize and run many events and publications in Albany. Ken spent his early career as an information designer for a biotech firm where he helped scientists communicate complex ideas clearly.

Chris Noble has 30+ years of experience in journalism, including a decade each with Reuters and MarketWatch. He is currently head of content of Yahoo Finance’s personal finance business. He has also worked at three Bay Area news startups, including as the founding editor of Knowhere, which explored the uses of AI in producing unbiased news. He moved to Albany with his wife and sons in 2005.

Susannah Patton is an experienced writer, editor and communications professional. She got her start in journalism covering local news in the Boston area and has written for Dow Jones, the Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press and other news outlets. A San Francisco native, she moved to Albany with her husband and two sons in 2005. She is currently editorial director for a national affordable housing nonprofit.

Nick Pilch is a 25-year resident of Albany. His son attended Albany schools. Nick served on the City Council from 2015 to 2020, was mayor in 2020, and has served on city commissions for a total of 12 years, serving currently on the Planning & Zoning Commission. Nick was a founder of several community organizations and efforts, including a Facebook page, News for Albany.

Karen Sorensen is a local-history author, independent historical researcher and East Bay native. Her two books on Albany history include Albany: Stories from the Village by the Bay and Albany: Images of America (the latter in conjunction with the Albany Historical Society). Her background includes work as a staff/freelance journalist, photo editor and nonprofit fundraiser. She and her husband raised their two children in Albany.

Learn more on the Albany News Project website.