For the 2022 Excellence in Journalist Awards contest, the Orange County Press Club added the category of Journalist of the Year. Entrants are nominated by their colleagues, and the nomination letter and examples of that journalist’s work are evaluated by fellow journalism professionals from around the country.

Journalist of the Year Winners

2026: Jill Replogle

2025: Nick Gerda

2024: Teri Sforza

2023: Scott M. Reid

2022: Jeff Collins