For three years Michael Flaherty has covered the private equity boom and bust for Reuters. In 32 major scoops during 2007, Michael wrote “market-moving exclusives and ahead-of-the-curve analyses,” according to the news agency. “[Michael] Flaherty’s work was a pivotal part of Reuters coverage of the U.S. sub prime crisis and ensuing global credit crunch,” Reuters announced in making the award. “Mike Flaherty is the consummate dogged journalist, spending hours building sources and then breaking news that is important to our clients. He is innovative, embracing multimedia and new ways of doing things, including launching our popular deals blog,” said David Schlesinger, Reuters editor in chief.
Mike began his reporting career, after freelancing for several magazines, in 2001 at the Fairfield (CA) Daily Republic, covering housing and the environment. He moved on to the San Mateo County (CA) Independent as a city beat reporter and as lead reporter covering San Francisco International Airport during the post 9–11 security transition and the bankruptcy of the county’s largest employer — United Airlines. Before moving to New York City in September 2003, he was a city beat and casino reporter for the Marin Independent Journal. Mike joined Reuters in December 2003.
