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Wilson named publisher of newspaper
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| Community Newspapers, Inc., Chairman Tom Wood (left) announces Tuesday that the Lake City Reporter’s current editor, Todd Wilson (right), will be promoted to publisher effective on Monday. Wilson has served as the Reporter’s editor since 2004. JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter |
Newsman: ‘I’m honored’ to lead newspaper staff.
From staff reports
Todd Wilson has been named publisher of the Lake City Reporter and will take over as the newspaper’s chief executive on Monday, according to Tom Wood, chairman of Community Newspapers, Inc.
Wilson has been the editor of the Lake City Reporter since 2004. He replaces Michael Leonard, who is leaving Lake City for a newspaper publisher’s position in Seneca, S.C.
Wilson, 39, has been in the newspaper business full-time since 1989. A Missouri native, he has worked in news and advertising positions with newspaper companies in Missouri, Mississippi and Arkansas before moving to Florida.
“I am honored and blessed to be the publisher of the Lake City Reporter,” Wilson said. “I have a passion for community journalism. I firmly believe that a strong newspaper is the best source for local news and advertising information, and a strong local newspaper leads in its community. The Lake City Reporter will continue to be a strong community partner in Columbia County, and we will continue to be a watchdog with the people’s best interest in mind.
“My pledge is that we will continue to work hard to bring this community the best local newspaper possible. We have a very experienced and dedicated staff in place at the Lake City Reporter, and I look forward to working with everyone to build on our strong 134-year publishing tradition in Columbia County.”
Wood said he and CNI President Dink NeSmith interviewed a number of qualified journalists, but there was no doubt in making their decision for the new publisher position.
“Todd Wilson is an outstanding journalist and, just as important, he has demonstrated affection for and a commitment to the Lake City community,” Wood said. “Those were the deciding factors in choosing him as publisher of the Lake City Reporter. It was an easy choice since Todd was already on the staff of the Reporter.”
As an editor, Wilson has led his news staffs to more than 130 journalism awards during his career, including four consecutive General Excellence Awards as the best newspaper in its division during his tenure as managing editor of the Wynne (Ark.) Progress.
In 2006, Wilson led the Lake City Reporter news team to earn the Florida Springs Protection award for its saturation coverage of issues concerning ground water quality and springs endangerment in and around Columbia County. In 2007, Wilson led the news team in its coverage of the Bugaboo Wildfire, one of the largest blazes in the documented history of wildfires in the Southeast. The news team’s accomplishments in both the print and online editions earned the Lake City Reporter the 2008 President’s Award — the top journalism award given by Community Newspapers, Inc.
Leonard said he is excited about Wilson taking over the position as publisher.
“I am definitely looking forward to what is going to happen here in the coming years,” he said.
Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism from Southeast Missouri State University.
Wilson is active in the Columbia County community. He serves on the board of directors of the Rotary Club of Lake City; is a founding member of the board of directors of Crime Stoppers of Columbia County; and is a Suwannee Valley Region Advisory Council member for LifeSouth Community Blood Center.
Wilson and his wife, Michelle, are the parents of one daughter, Lauren, a rising first-grader who attends public school in the Columbia County School District.
The family attends Hopeful Baptist Church. Wilson also is a member of the servants team of Lake City’s Iron Shepherds chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. In his free time, he enjoys family time, following Florida Gators sports and exploring the unique beauty of Florida.
“My family and I love Lake City,” Wilson said. “This community has welcomed us and embraced us and we enjoy giving back at every opportunity. We love being involved.”
As publisher of the Lake City Reporter, Wilson will oversee the printed issue of the newspaper, as well as lakecityreporter.com and Currents magazine.
Wilson has been the editor of the Lake City Reporter since 2004. He replaces Michael Leonard, who is leaving Lake City for a newspaper publisher’s position in Seneca, S.C.
Wilson, 39, has been in the newspaper business full-time since 1989. A Missouri native, he has worked in news and advertising positions with newspaper companies in Missouri, Mississippi and Arkansas before moving to Florida.
“I am honored and blessed to be the publisher of the Lake City Reporter,” Wilson said. “I have a passion for community journalism. I firmly believe that a strong newspaper is the best source for local news and advertising information, and a strong local newspaper leads in its community. The Lake City Reporter will continue to be a strong community partner in Columbia County, and we will continue to be a watchdog with the people’s best interest in mind.
“My pledge is that we will continue to work hard to bring this community the best local newspaper possible. We have a very experienced and dedicated staff in place at the Lake City Reporter, and I look forward to working with everyone to build on our strong 134-year publishing tradition in Columbia County.”
Wood said he and CNI President Dink NeSmith interviewed a number of qualified journalists, but there was no doubt in making their decision for the new publisher position.
“Todd Wilson is an outstanding journalist and, just as important, he has demonstrated affection for and a commitment to the Lake City community,” Wood said. “Those were the deciding factors in choosing him as publisher of the Lake City Reporter. It was an easy choice since Todd was already on the staff of the Reporter.”
As an editor, Wilson has led his news staffs to more than 130 journalism awards during his career, including four consecutive General Excellence Awards as the best newspaper in its division during his tenure as managing editor of the Wynne (Ark.) Progress.
In 2006, Wilson led the Lake City Reporter news team to earn the Florida Springs Protection award for its saturation coverage of issues concerning ground water quality and springs endangerment in and around Columbia County. In 2007, Wilson led the news team in its coverage of the Bugaboo Wildfire, one of the largest blazes in the documented history of wildfires in the Southeast. The news team’s accomplishments in both the print and online editions earned the Lake City Reporter the 2008 President’s Award — the top journalism award given by Community Newspapers, Inc.
Leonard said he is excited about Wilson taking over the position as publisher.
“I am definitely looking forward to what is going to happen here in the coming years,” he said.
Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism from Southeast Missouri State University.
Wilson is active in the Columbia County community. He serves on the board of directors of the Rotary Club of Lake City; is a founding member of the board of directors of Crime Stoppers of Columbia County; and is a Suwannee Valley Region Advisory Council member for LifeSouth Community Blood Center.
Wilson and his wife, Michelle, are the parents of one daughter, Lauren, a rising first-grader who attends public school in the Columbia County School District.
The family attends Hopeful Baptist Church. Wilson also is a member of the servants team of Lake City’s Iron Shepherds chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. In his free time, he enjoys family time, following Florida Gators sports and exploring the unique beauty of Florida.
“My family and I love Lake City,” Wilson said. “This community has welcomed us and embraced us and we enjoy giving back at every opportunity. We love being involved.”
As publisher of the Lake City Reporter, Wilson will oversee the printed issue of the newspaper, as well as lakecityreporter.com and Currents magazine.
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