Roy Pitchford is the Westside Bureau chief for The Advocate.
Pitchford, 62, has worked for newspapers in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas since 1964, except for a period of four and a half years when he was a full-time Baptist pastor. He is a former state editor and suburban editor with The Advocate.
He has a bachelor's degree in history and religion from the University of the State of New York and an associate and masters degree from New Orleans Baptist Theoligical Seminary in pastoral ministry.