Earlier this week we announced that I’m taking over as DCist’s editor-in-chief.

Today, I’m happy to announce that Benjamin R. Freed will become the site’s new associate editor. Ben, until now a freelancer, has been a regular contributor to Washington City Paper for the past two years. Additionally, he’s written a few pieces for T: The New York Times Style Magazine and other publications, in addition to moonlighting as a copy editor at Congressional Quarterly.

Ben moved to the District in January 2009 and worked for a while for an energy and environment policy shop. When that organization went belly-up, Ben turned to journalism full-time, and has covered arts and entertainment extensively. At DCist, Ben will continue to cover the arts in addition to a host of other topics.

He originally hails from just outside Albany, N.Y., which despite what anyone insists, is part of Upstate New York. He should probably get a bike, sometimes gets into long-running Twitter spats, and once mixed up Minor Threat and Black Flag. And maybe someday, someone can explain to him the popularity of the D.C. United.

He’ll be starting next week, and I’m very excited to have him along. Until we get him set-up on email, follow him on Twitter, @brfreed.