07/01/2005

Seth Hettena named AP correspondent in charge in San Diego

SAN DIEGO -- Seth Hettena, an Associated Press newsman since 1997, has been promoted to correspondent in charge of the San Diego bureau.

The appointment was announced by Los Angeles Chief of Bureau Anthony Marquez. Hettena replaces Michelle Morgante, who was promoted to assistant chief of bureau in Miami.

Hettena began his reporting career at two newspapers in eastern Iowa, the Dubuque Telegraph Herald and the Quad-City Times in Davenport.

He joined the AP as a temporary newsman in Detroit and worked in Sacramento and Baltimore before coming to San Diego four years ago. He has specialized in covering military affairs and water resources issues and covered the kidnapping and murder of Danielle van Dam and the biggest wildfire in state history.

A native of New York City, Hettena graduated from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and earned his master's degree in journalism from Columbia University in New York in 1994.

Contact: Jack Stokes, AP Corporate Communications, 212.621.1720