Meet the team!

Noel Nash, co-owner and publisher

After 25 years in the newspaper business as a reporter, page designer and senior editor, Noel Nash joined ESPN to help create the Stats & Analysis Team in 2006. In 2015 he became Vice President of the Stats & Information Group – a staff of more than 200 part- and full-time employees around the globe who generated unique and differentiating content across all media platforms. Noel left ESPN in 2017, and purchased The Chronicle in February 2019. He and his wife Dee Dee have a son, Benjamin, who lives in Connecticut, and a daughter, Melissa, who lives in Salem, Ore.

Erin Tierney-Heggenstaller, executive editor

Erin Tierney-Heggenstaller, award-winning journalist and executive editor of The Chronicle, has over a decade of industry experience from coast to coast. A graduate of Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, Erin was the associate editor for a daily newspaper, The (Lock Haven) Express, before becoming the editor for The Creswell Chronicle in 2016. In 2019, Erin and her publisher led the effort in expanding coverage to include Springfield and Cottage Grove. These days, Erin lives in Springfield with her husband, Lance, and yellow parrotlet, Murphy.

Ryleigh Norgrove, reporter

Ryleigh Norgrove is an Oregon-based journalist and photographer. She grew up in the Bay Area before graduating from Willamette University with a degree in English. At The Chronicle, she covers local government, homelessness and breaking news. She’s passionate about starting thoughtful community conversations, solution-oriented reporting and most importantly, hiking with her dog, Koda.

Pierre Weil, sports reporter

Pierre Weil is the sports reporter for The Chronicle, covering primarily high school sports. He grew up in a small town in SoCal called Ojai before studying at the University of Oregon, where he graduated in June of 2022 from the SOJC program. His favorite journalism experiences before The Chronicle were being a production assistant at the 2018 US Open Tennis Tournament and interviewing runners at the 2021 US Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Ron Hartman, entertainment reporter

Ron is a copyeditor and reporter for The Chronicle, specializing in entertainment and sports coverage. Ron is a “hopeless hoopaholic” and enjoys watching basketball every March madness season. Ron also likes playing pool and even in his later years, still dreams of starting a band. Ron loves his job and feels lucky to hear live music, meet musicians and write about them.

Larissa Garcia, web design

Larissa is a Eugene/Springfield native and graduated from the University of Oregon in 2020 with a degree in English. Larissa’s hobbies include reading and crocheting, both of which she loves to do during the fall season. Larissa also enjoys going dancing and playing board games with her husband, Mervyn.

Sarah De Leon, columnist

Sarah de Leon is a freelance writer who has also been featured in the LA Times, Adelaide Magazine and Pipeline Artists. A storyteller by heart, she graduated from Chapman University’s screenwriting program where she penned several award-winning short films. Sarah has recently become part of Lane County’s live entertainment scene as both a host and a performer. She hopes she can continue to use her skills to write and produce through as many mediums as possible including but not limited to television, theater, live shows, books and of course – The Chronicle.

Bob Williams, photographer

Bob Williams is a photographer in Eugene, Oregon with a passion for drinking scotch though it has been rumored to be the reverse. His photography reflects the beauty in the world around him though occasionally it tends to be with a little tongue in cheek humor. Along with Boudoir photography, fashion photography, and glamour photography, he’s know for working with actors, actresses and musicians. Photographing singers, musicians and bands both veterans and new upcoming acts is one of his passion.

Bobby Stevens, videographer

Bobby Stevens manages The Chronicle’s social media platforms and specializes in drone and still photography, capturing beautiful aerial and nature shots. By day, Bobby is a real estate agent for You’re Home Real Estate, too. In his free time, Bobby enjoys playing music and is the guitarist for his band, Midnight Strobelight.