· Rich Barak works in the sports department as a leader/coach. Barak, who has covered everyone from Tommy Lasorda to Timothy Leary, has been a journalist for more than 30 years. Before joining the AJC, Barak worked as the executive digital producer for the NBC affiliate in Milwaukee. He also had a stint at the Chicago Tribune. He was selected as Illinois' best headline writer in 2014 by The Associated Press in its annual contest. When he is not working, Barak likes to spend time with his family and his dog. His wife, Pam, has worked for the American Cancer Society and hospitals during her career. They have three grown children: Brandon, the director of player development for Vanderbilt's College World Series champion baseball team; Kaley, who teaches students with special needs in a Phoenix suburb; and Matthew, a Class of 2020 Georgetown University graduate who majored in government. Barak can be reached via email at Richard.Barak@ajc.com, on Twitter at @RBARACK or by calling 217-722-0184.