Soldier to Sergeant   

Globetrotting documentor of wars becomes the Associated Press' director of photography.

In the ranks of the Associated Press, Santiago Lyon is going from soldier to sergeant.

Named the wire service's director of photography, Lyon succeeds Vin Alabiso, who became director of global business development/photos in August. Lyon will be joined by two new deputies, Michael Feldman and J. David Ake.

"It's an honor and a privilege to take the helm," says Lyon, who was the AP's photo editor for Spain and Portugal when he approached management about the new job.

"Santiago is an experienced photographer and photo editor who has developed a creative, collaborative leadership style in the 19 years since he first picked up a camera professionally," Kathleen Carroll, the AP's executive editor, wrote in a message to the staff about his promotion.

Lyon, 37, started as a photographer for United Press International and then worked for Reuters. He joined the AP in 1991. Throughout a career highlighted by his war coverage, Lyon has shot film in over 50 countries, including Iraq, Israel and Rwanda.

Lyon is now a Nieman fellow at Harvard University. He will move to New York with his wife and daughter when he begins his new role at the AP in July.