Tim Nickens grew up in Jeffersonville, Ind., and received a bachelor of arts degree from Indiana University. After a year at the Journal-Gazette in Fort Wayne, Ind., he joined the St. Petersburg Times as a reporter in 1983. He worked for the Miami Herald from 1990-1995 before returning to the St. Petersburg Times. He was an editorial writer, political editor and assistant managing editor/metro before rejoining the editorial board in December 2004. He and his wife, Bridget, live in St. Petersburg with their two daughters. E-mail Tim Nickens at: tnickens@sptimes.com