The Roanoke Rambler announced today that Roanoke entrepreneur Ollie Howie has joined the publication as its new owner. The transaction closed March 30.

Howie brings a wealth of business experience, a commitment to the Roanoke community and a passion for The Rambler’s mission to inform the public with local and investigative news that cannot be found elsewhere. 

“I have always admired The Roanoke Rambler and the work they do to uncover stories for the Roanoke Valley. We hope this mission continues,” Howie, 30, said. “This newspaper acquisition is about more than ownership, it’s about preserving a trusted community voice, strengthening local journalism, and ensuring residents stay informed and engaged. I believe a healthy newspaper helps build a stronger, more connected city. We hope to serve the Roanoke community with news that you can trust.” 

Howie, of Northwest Roanoke, is a founder and managing partner of Mount Auburn Venture Partners, which invests in startups and established companies. He currently serves on Roanoke’s Economic Development Authority. 

Before earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University, Howie graduated from William Fleming High School. As a student, he was awarded the NAACP Youth Award from the Roanoke branch and the SCLC awarded him its Martin Luther King Drum Major Award. He also founded the MKB club, an initiative recognized by President Obama, which provided scholarships and professional attire to students. In recognition of his community service, the Roanoke City Council in 2013 proclaimed May 31 as “Ollie Howie Day.”

Rambler Founder Henri Gendreau said his transition from the publication was an intentional, years-long process, beginning with the hiring of Managing Editor Todd Jackson in March 2025. 

Last fall, Gendreau began working with a Roanoke-based broker from Transworld Business Advisors to find a suitable buyer for The Rambler who would be committed to carrying on its mission of publishing quality local and investigative journalism. Gendreau moved to New York earlier this year. 

“I hope Ollie will be a good steward of The Rambler,” Gendreau said. “The decision to pass the torch was a difficult one, and I am full of mixed emotions. Roanoke will always have a special place in my heart. I believe strongly that the community deserves the kind of quality, in-depth journalism that The Rambler is known for. It is my sincere hope that Ollie will continue this mission.”

Founded in 2021, The Rambler has grown from a single founder to a staff of four journalists and numerous freelance contributors. The online publication’s mission is to inform the public of important issues affecting their lives, uncover societal ills, expose wrongdoing and hold the powerful accountable. The Rambler’s weekly newsletter has attracted thousands of subscribers, and the publication has been recognized with grant support from Google News Initiative and Report for America, which supports part of the salary of Sinclair Holian, the publication’s reporter covering the lasting impacts of residential segregation in Roanoke.

The Rambler is grateful for its many reader members, donors and local business advertisers whose support has made the publication of fearless, independent news possible.

Howie can be reached at olliehowie1@gmail.com.