SEATTLE — The Seattle Times today announced the addition of Ray Rivera to The Seattle Times’ newsroom leadership team.

As deputy managing editor for investigations and enterprise, Rivera will lead high-impact cross-platform reporting projects that will build on the Times’ longstanding journalistic tradition. He will directly oversee the investigative team and will work with the entire newsroom to generate quality enterprise and watchdog journalism.

"I couldn't be more excited about having Ray join our newsroom's senior management team,” said Executive Editor Don Shelton. “He's a smart, talented editor who understands our emphasis on investigative and watchdog journalism, knows our market and will help take us to the next level. I can't wait for him to join us."

Most recently, Rivera served as editor of the Santa Fe New Mexican. He has previously worked as a staff reporter at The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Seattle Times.

"Ray will add considerable muscle to our editing ranks and bring a seasoned, thoughtful leader to our leadership team,” said Deputy Managing Editor Michele Matassa Flores. “I couldn’t be happier we’re bringing him on board."

Highlights of Rivera’s reporting career include writing a nine-part investigative series for The Seattle Times on the U.S. government's prolonged and ultimately failed espionage investigation into Captain James Yee; reporting extensively on a controversial police department stop-and-frisk policy while working at The New York Times; and uncovering a story for The Washington Post about the U.S. Naval Academy’s practice of expelling midshipmen accused of sexual assault instead of prosecuting them.

The San Jose State University graduate grew up in Raton, New Mexico. He is relocating to Seattle with his wife and three children.

Rivera begins his role on Sept. 25