Excellence Award Presentation

Delmarva's Excellence Award Recipients were honored with a luncheon on Tuesday, March 19.  Each was presented with their certificate and check for $100 by Delmarva President, Ed Dulin and their team leader. 

Pictured are (L to R): Craig Anderson, Michael Whaley,  Anthony Blue, Kimberly Lewis and Courtney Hartline.

Terrance Interviewed by Local PR Firm

The Valley is nothing if not segmented — and then segmented within its segments.
 

Take Scottsdale, for example. There’s Old Town, Arcadia, North Scottsdale, etc.
 

Or what about the Southeast Valley? There’s Chandler, but also San Tan, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, and so on.

Don’t even get me started on the Phoenix/Ahwatukee/Central Corridor/Downtown/Desert Ridge/West Side segmentation.

And you know what – I LOVE IT!

One of this North Scottsdale-raised, now Desert Ridge-living PR gal’s favorite things is to target story pitches, ideas and even the most basic of news releases as specifically as possible. Heck, I even get all of my client’s home ZIP codes so I can clarify to reporters if a source lives in North Scottsdale or, more specifically, DC Ranch.

Fun fact – way back when I started in PR, I learned to do this from the folks at Arizona.Newszap.com

Arizona.Newszap.com, which is operated by Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA, is a group of hyper-local weekly independent community newspapers as well as equally local web news sites throughout the Valley. If you are in communications, you probably know them as the North Scottsdale Independent, Town of Paradise Valley Independent, East Mesa Independent, Sun City Independent, Peoria Independent, etc.

This week, I am pleased to hyper-locally focus our #MediaMonday profile on Terrance Thornton, who handles all of the North Valley news for Independent Newsmedia. And, (teaser alert) he’s got some pretty big news to share toward the end of his profile.

So, Terrance, time to share!

What do you want to tell the blogosphere about yourself today?

I have been paid a wage to write words and take photographs for just over five years now.

In July 2007, I was hired as community news editor for the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent, which was run, at the time, out of our East Valley office in Apache Junction just south of U.S. 60 on Ironwood Road.

At that office I was taught a trade: Community Journalism.

We at the Arizona Division of Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA — a collection of 10 hyper-local weeklies and two monthly products with a collective weekly circulation encompassing the majority of the Phoenix metropolitan area — operate each of our products as public trusts.

It is our privilege to serve the myriad communities we do through conscientious journalism focused on the local issues impacting residents directly.

When I started at Independent Newsmedia, formerly Independent Newspapers, I was writing for one paper. But by the time I left — about a year ago — I was coordinating front-page enterprise stories covering five different cities and two counties.

It was an extremely tall order every week, but through the guidance of the office’s Managing Editor Richard Dyer and News Services Editor Jill Adair I was taught how to meet deadline and was constantly challenged to do better.

Mrs. Adair is now an adjunct professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.

In December 2012, I was asked by Bret McKeand, our North Valley publisher and director of Arizona operations, to take charge of our North Valley Office where I would be covering the Town of Paradise Valley and the City of Scottsdale. When Mr. McKeand offered me the gig, he told me, “You’re in charge. If things go well, you will reap the benefits, and if things don’t, you will as well.”

Things have gone well.

Today, I believe Independent Newsmedia is embarking on an exciting chapter of its history — the launch of a daily news website focused on bringing our organization’s sense of journalism and focus on community news to a wider audience.

I run the news feed for our North Valley homepage at Arizona.Newszap.com, which focuses on news of Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and what is locally referred to as the Biltmore area of Phoenix.

I also serve as editor for the Town of Paradise Valley Independent, Scottsdale Independent and Biltmore Independent. Over the past year, KPHO CBS 5 has reached out to our North Valley office a handful of times to follow up on a few stories we had done and to see if we would be willing to share our stories with their reporting staff. We obliged and CBS 5, under the guise of its News Director Michelle Donaldson, went out of its way each time to give us credit for our work.

Because of the professionalism and integrity we have experienced with working with CBS 5 we have agreed to become media partners offering a free flow of our original content both online and periodically on its various newscasts.

It’s an exciting time at Independent Newsmedia and we intend to continue to do the things we have done and continue to fight for the privilege to be trusted a news source for our readers in every community we operate.

I can be contacted at 623-445-2774, tthornton@newszap.com and www.twitter.com/nvnewsman.

Paper Delivered As Expected

Below is an email received by reader services giving praise to the DSN delivery team.

As I arose this morning and viewed all the snow I spied reindeer poop along the road I just knew my paper would be there ... It was!!

Thank you so much!

Stephen von Bonin

April Anniversaries

4/1, 26 YRS, Patricia Brant,  Caloosa Belle

4/2, 11 YRS, Pete, Gawda,  Okeechobee News
4/9, 1 YR, Michael Whaley,  Sussex Post
4/10, 18 YRS, Diane Runion, Northeast Group Independent
4/12, 11 YRS, Lisa Bryner, Corporate
4/12, 9 YRS, Allan Ryder,  Delaware State News
4/15, 6 YRS, Frances Callaway,  Delaware Printing Company
4/15, 35 YRS, Lori Kircher,  Corporate
4/18, 25 YRS, Sheila Clendaniel,  Corporate
4/19, 20 YRS, Heather Cregar,  Independent of Delmarva
4/20, 19 YRS, Craig Horleman,  Delaware State News
4/23, 23 YRS, Michelle Vinson,  Corporate
4/25, 1 YR, Jeremy Thomson,  Delaware Printing Company
4/30, 1 YR, Courtney Hartline,  Delaware State News

April Birthdays

4/2, Mauricio Garcia,  Valley Newspaper Printing

4/6, Juliana Mateo,  Valley Newspaper Printing
4/7, Wendy Miller,  Apache Junction Independent
4/11, Olivia Littleton,  Delaware State News
4/11, David Taylor,  Apache Junction Independent
4/12, Nichole Christopoulos,  Delaware State News
4/12, Timothy Menasco,  Delaware State News
4/13, Tedejane Griffith,  Milford The Journal
4/16, Michael Jacobs,  Valley Newspaper Printing
4/20, Henry Jones,  Delaware Printing Company
4/20, Deborah Myers,  Sun City Independent
4/21, Courtney Hartline,  Delaware State News
4/22, Paul Cervantes, Valley Newspaper Printing
4/24, Edward Dulin, Chairman Office
4/24, Angela Hicks,  Milford The Journal
4/24, Justin McConnell,  Delaware Printing Company
4/26, Tony Gilliard, Daily Banner
4/29, Raymond Ford,  Delaware Printing Company
4/30, Kristina Schwartz,  Okeechobee News

Excellence Award Recipients for 2013

Excellence – to excel; to do extremely well; possessing outstanding quality or superior merit – all definitions which describe our 2012 Excellence Award Recipients.  They are committed to their own success and the success of Independent Newsmedia Inc USA.  They achieve results; work as a team and continue to learn and teach others. 

The recipients of the 2013 Excellence Awards are listed below in alphabetical order by region.

Arizona

Rusty Bradshaw
News Editor
West Valley
Purposeful Newspapers

Rusty appreciates covering the Sun City and Peoria communities. This past year Rusty broke several lead stories prior to the dailies, including the hidden rec fees passed on to the nonprofit clubs, and the over-crowding issue at North Peoria schools.  Rusty continues to cover the stories as they are ongoing, and makes certain his articles provide both sides of the issue. His reporting knowledge has improved through the years as he is heavily involved with several groups in the two communities.

The Independent has been in numerous e-mail blasts and postings about the great job Rusty has done covering stories and our voluntary pay donations name Rusty, as the best editor in town.  Rusty is the face of the Sun City Independent. The Sun City Rotary Club even named him an honorary member, which is quite prestigious in the Rotary community.

Rusty always makes deadline and by pulling in advertisements and sending color plate spreads to our Valley office the publisher has more time for weekly planning.  He continues to improve his photo skills as well as his pagination skills. 

 

Debra Crotzer
Ad Services Specialist/graphic
Apache Junction
Self-Management

As a part-time employee, Debra manages her time effectively to produce ads and work with customers for three weekly newspapers, a monthly newspaper and special sections.  She expertly juggled the time required in building ads for a 48-page Lost Dutchman Days program long with her daily work on the newspapers.

In getting pages ready for the press, she has caught typos missed in the editorial proofing process. She teaches others how to use software and programs used in the weekly production of the newspapers and to enhance their knowledge.   Deb is a valuable member of the East Valley team.

 

 Jan McKinney

Sales Consultant
North Valley
Results

Since early last year, Jan has been the sole sales consultant for the North Valley office, taking over the primary sales role from a popular and successful sales consultant who left the company to pursue another career. Thanks to Jan's skill, experience and diligence, she was able to step in and quickly gain the loyalty and confidence of our customers, and retain every single account.

Despite having only one sales rep this year vs. two last year, Jan has been able to increase the division's sales. Year to date, our division's weekly sales are up nearly 8% over last year, and our Scottsdale Independent leads all of Arizona's publications with a 32% year-to-date sales increase.

Jan's personal sales philosophy is totally in tune with our company's sales approach. She consistently follows our RAPS philosophy, and resists the temptation of selling price over service or results. She consistently prepares solid and sensible long-term proposals that have allowed the division to return to a stable book of business. She is supportive of our new digital sales approach, and very proactive in including digital pricing in all her proposals.

 Jan is also very professional in her appearance and performance in front of the public. She supports her team and has been very visible in the community, representing the company at business/chamber events and trade shows, as well as other community activities and events.

  

 

 

 Delmarva  
 

 Craig Anderson

Reporter
Delaware State News
Results

Craig has been prolific in his role as a DSN reporter. His bylines mostly involve police reporting, but he has tackled a wide variety of subjects -- embracing the “general assignment" nature that a small newspaper staff requires.

Craig has developed an excellent rapport with local law enforcement, gaining a reputation as a fair newsman. His reports go beyond the news releases since he scours court documents and asks questions that lead to bigger enterprise pieces. His reports on heroin and methamphetamine use in Central Delaware were very insightful enterprise pieces.

Craig has raised the bar when it comes to the amount of material that can be gathered and written during the course of a news week. 

Lastly, this also recognizes something very important -- development of content for delaware.newszap.com.   It has been proven time and again that breaking news -- especially murders and sex crimes -- are hot topics for our web readers.

 

 Anthony Blue

Machine Operator
Delaware Printing Company
Learning

Tony was hired as an inserter six years ago and was eventually trained to operate the IMS insert machine.  Normally a quiet, unassuming employee; Tony has lit a fire under himself in the past twelve months taking on the challenges that have been asked of him.  We challenged Tony to learn how to operate the video jet mail machine and the K-R inserter, along with operating the IMS.  He was later asked become a leader on the night shift and take on the responsibilities of directing the production of the team.  It’s been a remarkable change in Tony as he continues each day to gain more knowledge and self-confidence as a leader of people.

He operates the inserting and mailing equipment in a fast and timely manner and has more than excelled at hitting the higher averages of machine speeds the team has been asked to achieve.  He takes great pride in his and the teams accomplishments.   Tony is on the night shift and on his own most of the time and therefore must make decisions quickly and his good judgment has saved us many hours of overtime.

Tony strives for perfection and he inspires his team to purse perfection in all they do.  Through his example he has led the way in challenging his team to meet increased production goals and at the same time to have fun. 

We’ve challenged Tony to look beyond his piece of the production and see our customer’s job as a complete opportunity to build Delaware Printing into a great customer service business.  He has taken the challenge and is an example for others to strive to emulate.

  

Courtney Hartline
Classified Advertising Representative
Delaware State News
Teamwork

Courtney exemplifies the spirit of a team player. She embraces the job every day. She has managed to learn all the requirements of the job in a short period of time and works continuously to increase the effectiveness of the team.

Courtney has received praise from customers for her professionalism and courtesy on the phone. She receives positive feedback from her fellow employees for her kindness and willingness to help whenever she can. She provides excellent customer service and is an example for others.

Courtney helps train new hires and her positive attitude and endless energy keeps others on the team motivated.  She is always willing to learn new tasks.  She helps her team and will adjust her schedule to meet the requirements of the department whenever needed. She brings a fresh, energetic, personality that boosts morale and department motivation.  The team functions at a higher level due to her contributions.

 

Kimberly LewisInsert Machine Feeder
Delaware Printing
Teamwork

Kim has given DPC fourteen years of great service.  She is a real team player and has always stepped up when someone is needed to help get a job out the door on time; or if a teammate is out sick; or on vacation; or in any situation that requires a volunteer, she is immediately there to lend a hand.  Many times we have asked her to work nights and weekends when needed and she does so without any complaint and a smile on her face.  She works hard and seeks perfection in all she does!

While Kim has always been a great inserter on the Harris insert machine she has, over the past year, learned and mastered the Video Jet mail machine.  She has become our go to person when we need to get a mail job out the door quickly and accurately.   She sets up and runs the machine as fast as possible setting goals for herself and then breaking her own production records! 

If you observe the team that assists Kim on the mail machine, you will see they all follow her lead to get the job done on time and as fast as possible.  It is simple; if you’re going to work with Kim you better be ready to rock-n-roll on the mail machine!  Ask the folks that work with her and they will say she is the reason they want to be on the mail machine; she makes it happen!

 Kim also excels in one of the most critical jobs we have at DPC; the logging in, keeping inventory of, and building the kanban job envelopes for the insert machine operators.  This is a highly detailed job and its importance to our success cannot be overstated.

Kim has a wonderful attitude about life and work in general.  She has a great work ethic and is always trying hard to help the team accomplish their daily production goals.  DPC is a better company with Kim on board! 

 

Michael Whaley

Distribution Manager
Delaware weeklies
Self-Management

Mike is a relatively new employee, but since coming on board as the distribution manager for the Delmarva weeklies, he has improved immeasurably our distribution process by making it more efficient and accurate.  He has taken it on himself to learn all the routes, the contracts, processes and he holds himself            entirely accountable. He makes wise decisions and consults appropriately.

Mike has absorbed the responsibilities once held by two people.  This consolidation has made a dramatic impact at the Banner, saving the company about $30,000 annually. Also, after evaluating the delivery of the Cambridge Extra, he discovered that the distribution of the paper was not targeted to the     Cambridge zip code, and he took it on himself to map and design routes to make certain the paper was being delivered to the right addresses. Mike has revamped the delivery of the Sussex County Post, by dividing the distribution into four logical routes that mirror our zones and zip codes.

Anyone who meets Mike instantly realizes that he is scrupulously honest and someone motivated by service to others. If he should do nothing else for our company, the steps he has taken in Cambridge will have a lasting impact. His stepping into a consolidated role as overall distribution manager for the Delmarva weeklies was a crucial step in bringing the Banner to a breakeven   point.

Mike is honest, ethical and courteous. He has an easy-going personality that paves the way for cordial relationships with customers, readers and fellow employees alike.

 

 Florida  

Eric Kopp
News Editor
Okeechobee News
Purposeful Newspapers

Eric's in-depth news coverage of issues such as allegations of corruption at the South Florida Water Management District brings to light information that the readers "need to know" and his coverage of the issues has shed light on the dealings of a government agency that has not been held accountable in the past.   

Eric also works with local law enforcement agencies to make sure the readers have the information necessary to protect their homes and their families.  Stories have included warnings about computer, telephone and gypsy contractor scams and updates on break-ins and car burglaries in certain areas. The weekly "Investigations" column lets readers know if crimes have been reported in their neighborhoods.  Eric's investigative reporting gives the Okeechobee News (and other INI Florida papers that pick up the stories) more depth of coverage.

Eric is a dependable reporter who cares deeply about getting the stories that matter to the community. He's not content to just report on the routine matters.  He questions everything.  He's not afraid to ask the hard questions.

Everyone Loves A Baby

Marcus Thomas Bolden Jr.

Born to Marcus Bolden and Victoria Sullivan

March 9^th 2013 8:11am

 

6 lb 11oz

 

20 inches long

 

He has 1 brother and 3 sisters

Words of Praise

Hello Dianna,

My name is Maurice Dawkins from American Spirit Federal Credit Union. I want to give you a quick feedback about one of your employee. It is a pleasure working along with Bonnie Mankin. She is always helpful and resourceful. Most of all she is an excellent sale person, who puts our client first. She makes us feel like she is an extension of our company, by recommending services that is in the best interest of our company; and provides a great product at a reasonable price. You have a Gem among you.

 

Thanks,

Maurice

Happy Birthday/Anniversary Janet

The Classified/Customer Service/Telemarketing ladies took a moment to Celebrate Janet Levy’s 23 years with INI and her birthday is on Sunday.

She was surprised with balloons, a card, a Confetti cake made by Yvonne Kirksey and a beautiful baby Elephant figurine. 

Janet collects elephants and probably has more than 500 figurines and stuffed animal elephants at home. 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY/BIRTHDAY JANET!!

Thank You

Thank you so much for the cards, flowers and words of encouragement during this difficult time of my father's passing.  It means a lot. 
Don Clendaniel

Chuck Matthews Newest INI Non-Profit Member

Chuck Matthews


 

Jim Binns

 

Chuck Matthews has been elected to a five-year term as a member of INI’s non-profit holding company.

Chuck, 50, is the chairman and CEO of WGM Associates LLC, a Scottsdale-based company that provides small and medium sized businesses a wide range of managed services and software solutions designed to transform information technology into a core strategic asset.  His background includes 26 years in management, finance, real estate and technology, as well as extensive volunteer community service. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from the University of Arizona.

He replaces James H. Binns, 67, whose five-year term as a non-profit member expired.  Jim was one of the original founders of INI’s non-profit holding company in 1991 and served three non-consecutive terms as a non-profit member.  A former lawyer and corporate CEO, he serves as chairman of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, a federal advisory body mandated by Congress and appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

On behalf of the other non-profit members as well as the company’s board of directors, INI CEO Joe Smyth presented a plaque thanking Jim “for his years of trusteeship, inspiration and dedication to preserving a vigorous and independent press as the bastion of a free society”. 

“Jim has been a terrific non-profit member and we hate to lose him,” Joe said, “but we were fortunate to be able to replace him with another very accomplished person in Chuck Matthews.”

The non-profit members serve staggered 5-year terms. They cannot serve consecutive terms, so at least one member is replaced each year. The four other non-profit members, in addition to Mr. Matthews, are:

 

·         Jody Brannon, a digital media pioneer who is director of The Next America, an initiative at NationalJournal.com exploring the impact of shifting demographics on policy and politics. Previously, she was national director of the Carnegie-Knight News21 journalism initiative at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

·         Gary Edens, owner of The Hanover Companies, Inc. and former CEO of Edens Broadcasting, which owned radio stations in San Diego, Phoenix, Richmond, Newport News and Tampa.

·         Dick Gottlieb, the civic-minded former Wisconsin newspaper publisher who rose to CEO of Lee Enterprises, chaired the Newspaper Association of America and was a director of The Associated Press.

·         Karny Stefan, of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona, who has worked with a number of other non-profits, including Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  She has a master’s degree in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Non-Profit Management, from the University of Missouri. 

INI (Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA) is a normal tax-paying company that is owned by a unique non-profit holding company. There are no stockholders, and all after-tax profits are reinvested in the company. The non-profit members pledge not to profit personally from their involvement. They don’t have responsibility for running the company, but they elect the directors who bear that responsibility.

Reelected as directors were:

·         Richard Bricker, an independent business consultant with a strong background in finance, law and real estate.

·         Pete Eyerly, chairman of Press-Enterprise, Inc. of Bloomsburg, Pa.  The family-owned company publishes a daily newspaper in Bloomsburg, developed a significant web offset commercial printing business and has operated business journals and an advertising agency in Pennsylvania.

·         Joe Smyth, INI Chair and CEO and author of Newsroom Guidelines for Independent Newspapers and Fixing America’s Broken Politics: A Citizens Handbook, who transferred ownership of INI in 1991 to the non-profit holding company he had created for that purpose.

·         Alicia Wadas, the chief operating officer at The Lavidge Company, a full-service advertising, public relations, communications, consulting and interactive marketing agency in Phoenix. She is also an active volunteer in several community organizations.