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With today's issue, Jane Means is the new publisher of The Athens NEWS. Jane has responsibility for all the newspaper's operations, policies and personnel. She joined The NEWS in October of 2009 as advertising director and was promoted to associate publisher in April 2010. Jane has nearly 30 years experience managing a variety of newspapers, large and small, and has been a leader in national newspaper industry organizations.
Our editor, Terry Smith, will continue to lead our news team as he has for the last 25 years. No immediate staff or policy changes are planned with this transition. As CEO, I will remain engaged with the paper and our staff but in a more limited capacity.
Helping to grow and develop The NEWS for 35 years has been an exciting and rewarding experience. It also has been frustrating and deeply disappointing at times. I've had the pleasure of working with many wonderful people who have worked here, advertised with us and read the paper.
I'm grateful to everyone who has made us so successful, and I'm proud of what the paper has accomplished. Our news team has provided interesting and important news coverage to Athens County and a public forum for our readers. While many find fault with our news coverage and disagree with our editorial opinions, no one complains about the paper's (and athensnews.com's) price. You just can't beat free!
Our goals have always been the same. First, to promote progressive political, social and cultural change through the publication of a newspaper, and secondly, to provide an ever-increasing standard of living for those who work here. We will always strive to do better with both of these goals.
What is the secret to The Athens NEWS' success? The first key has been to find and hire the best and the brightest team players and organization-builders possible. Secondly, our news team has produced a news and editorial product that both students and Athens County residents find interesting. Presenting the material with creative designs, building the highest circulation of any local paper, and creating exceptional value for our advertisers naturally follows.
The business of a newspaper is not rocket science; it's people. We have all made mistakes, lots of them. A small sign next to my desk reads, "Always make new mistakes." I've learned not to dwell on all my past blunders. It's a wonder the newspaper survived all my mistakes, especially in the early days when I was pretty clueless about the business side of journalism. The Athens NEWS likely wouldn't make it anywhere except Athens County, and I wouldn't want to even try. Athens County has been very good to The Athens NEWS, and I'm confident The NEWS will continue to make a journalistic contribution to our community for many years to come.
Jane Means, the staff and I are all deeply committed to making that happen. Thank you, and we hope you enjoy today's Athens NEWS!
