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Jill M. Friesz
GS Publishing, LLC Owner/Publisher [email protected] I have been a part of the newspaper world for 30 years. After graduating from college with degrees in English and Communications, I moved to a small rural community and secured a position at the local newspaper as a typesetter, working two days a week. Eight years later, I purchased the business from a husband-wife duo. It was 15 years later when two newspapers in my neighboring counties shut down without warning. It saddened me to see communities with no local coverage, so I purchased the papers and have done my best to keep the communities informed. Two years later, two more local newspapers shut down, so I added those to our ever-growing newspaper family. Each paper and community come with its own challenges, but it has been interesting to learn the needs of the communities and provide a paper tailored for them. Recently I added another neighboring paper, now manage 7 papers in Southwest North Dakota. 
Heather Mayer
General Manager Williston Herald & Sidney Herald [email protected] I'm Heather Mayer, currently serving as the General Manager at the Williston Herald and Sidney Herald newspapers under Wick Communications. I have had an extensive 20+ year career in Operations Management, with significant experience in contact center management and business operations for Employee Benefits and Individual Life. My passion lies in enhancing operations to exceed customer expectations, demonstrated through successful team leadership, process optimization, project management and relationship building. Joining Wick Communications in 2022, I swiftly embraced roles in advertising sales, marketing and event management. I am honored by my leadership team's confidence in selecting me for this year's Executive Development training program, eager to deepen my management skills and industry knowledge in our dynamic media landscape. |
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Chris Rausch
The Cape Gazette Publisher [email protected] Chris Rausch is owner and publisher of the Cape Gazette which was originally founded in Lewes, De. by Dennis Forney and Trish Vernon in 1993. Chris has spent his entire career working in local media starting as a videographer at WBOC followed by 21 years in various roles with the Cape Gazette. Chris resides in Lewes, DE with his wife, Alice, and their two daughters. He stays very active in the community volunteering his time and efforts with many organizations including board positions with the Maryland, Delaware and DC Press Association, the Harry K Foundation, the Rehoboth Beach/Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lewes Foundation among others. 
Yaritza Vazquez
Wick Communications Publishing Operations Manager [email protected] I’ve been in the journalism industry for the last 10 years, specifically with Wick Communications for the last 6 months. Although my career began working as a page designer, I quickly grew into wearing multiple hats that have given me the opportunity to develop my project management and leadership skills. I have been able to work closely with editors and publishers while also managing a team of designers. Through my various roles, I have grown a passion for people managing, innovative thinking, leading change and maintaining the space for the voices of local communities. 
Andrew Wellner
Publisher Kodiak Daily Mirror [email protected] Andrew Wellner has spent 10 years reporting for newspapers like the Anchorage Daily News, the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman and the Cape Argus of South Africa. This summer, he took over as publisher of the Kodiak Daily Mirror, a Monday-Friday daily that serves an island community of 12,000 in the Gulf of Alaska. An Alaskan since the age of 10, Andrew has also worked as a middle school English teacher and as staff at an in-patient mental health facility. He is a father of three and holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and a master’s in journalism from the University of Southern California. 
Brandon Bowers
Regional Editor River City Newspapers Lake Havasu City, AZ [email protected] Brandon Bowers has led Today's News-Herald in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, for the past decade. Under his leadership, the paper has earned dozens of awards from the Arizona Newspaper Association. In 2015, Editors & Publisher Magazine recognized him as one of the top 25 editors under 35. He has served as regional editor for River City Newspapers in Northwest Arizona since 2022. Bowers began his journalism career delivering papers in California's Central Valley. He worked his way up through high school and college, securing a full-time reporting job right after high school. His past management roles include managing editor and online editor at several newspapers in California's Central Valley and one in Southeastern New Mexico. Bowers balances his career with family life, spending time with his wife Amanda and their three children, Aimee, 17, Sophiamarie, 13, and Noah, 10. |
Philip Reid
Publisher Reid Newspapers [email protected] Phillip Reid is publisher of Reid Newspapers, one of Oklahoma’s largest newspaper groups of family-owned, award-winning newspapers, magazines, and full digital platforms. Reid Newspapers is a consortium of 14 newspapers operated by Oklahoma natives Phillip and his wife, Jeanne Ann, who are both multi-generational newspaper families who have produced hallmark newspapers for over 140 years. The group publishes14 newspapers and multiple magazines in the state. They also operate one of the largest newspaper printing operations in the state of Oklahoma, printing over two million pages per month. Today Reid Newspapers is revolutionizing newspapers in digital platforms while maintaining the synergy between digital and print editions. Reid Newspapers serve as community leaders in the communities they serve. Phillip has served on over 50 boards and special committees promoting small communities and specifically healthcare. In addition to the newspaper and printing operations Phillip operates a marketing arm for local and state elections. He has been successful in helping pass over $450 million in initiatives. Phillip is also an interim lecturer at the Gaylord Journalism School at the University of Oklahoma. Phillip would definitely admit work is his 
Sam Wagner
Iowa Information Media Group General Manager 712-631-4852 [email protected] I am Sam Wagner, General Manager at Iowa Information Media Group and White Wolf Web based in Sheldon, IA. I am the third generation in our family-owned media companies and grew up surrounded by shop talk at the dinner table, family gatherings and anytime we were in the car together. My enthusiasm for news is reading it and absorbing it, not writing it. Thus, I chose to study business. I graduated from Iowa State University with majors in Finance and Business Analytics, and a minor in Management in 2021. These academic skills equip me to lead our business offices and production facility. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, boating, reading non-fiction, and supporting all things Iowa State Cyclones. 
John Wells
Publisher and President The Post Searchlight [email protected] John Wells serves as Publisher of The Post-Searchlight, which is located in beautiful Bainbridge, Georgia. After graduating from the University of Alabama in 2017 with degrees in marketing and management, John quickly climbed the ladder in the marketing world, becoming a leader in the digital media space. In 2020, John was named a Tuscaloosa 40 Under 40 award recipient. John is an active member of Rotary, his local church, and his local chamber of commerce. In his spare time, John loves spending time with his wife and two children. He is an avid traveler, having visited 23 countries in the last 10 years. |
Robert Stoll
The Advocate Senior Director of Distribution [email protected] With 10 years of newspaper experience, Robert has held every position in distribution, starting as a district manager in the New Orleans market, working his way up to his current position of Senior Distribution Director of George’s Media Group. Overseeing distribution in all markets, Robert consistently has CPMs around 2.0. When not working, Robert enjoys playing golf, spending time with his wife, Crystal, and his son, Jaxson. 
Greg Weatherbee
Publisher Lufkin Daily News [email protected] My name is Greg Weatherbee and I’m the third generation of a newspaper family. My journey began with a small weekly newspaper in Alabama that my grandfather bought in the late 1950s. Later I worked in North Carolina with Paxton Media Group. From there I spent six years as a Regional Director of Manufacturing and Facilities for Civitas Media. In 2016, I joined M. Roberts Media to run TCM Printing, the commercial printing division of the company. Two years later I was named VP of Operations for MRM, handling all production, circulation and facilities for the company. I accepted the position of publisher for The Lufkin Daily News and Southern Newspapers, INC, in April of 2023. My wife, Vicki, and I are recent empty nesters with all of our kids grown and out of the house. We enjoy playing pickleball, working around the house and helping my wife with her new stretch and mobility clinic. 
Olivia Benally
CEO/Publisher The Navajo Times Window Rock, AZ [email protected] Olivia Benally is a strong Dine woman, raised in a small community called Kinlichee, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting and has been with the Navajo Times for 20+ years. Currently, she serves as the paper’s first female CEO/Publisher, a milestone in its 60+ year history. In her free time, Olivia enjoys hiking, family barbeques, and riding her motorcycle. |