Missouri Press Association elects 2025 officers, directors
Publisher of Jefferson County Leader will head Association.
Peggy Scott, publisher of Leader Publications, which includes four community newspapers throughout Jefferson County and St. Louis County, was elected president of the Missouri Press Association Friday, Sept. 20, during the 158th Annual Convention in Springfield.
Scott has been with Leader Publications since 1999 and before that, worked for the Southeast Missourian in Cape Girardeau for another 14 years. Previously assistant publisher when she joined the MPA Board in 2020, Scott became the newspaper group’s publisher in May 2022.
A vocal proponent of community newspapers, Scott likes that journalists are “in the know,” usually before everyone else.
“As journalists, we get to find out things first and then tell everyone,” Scott said. “Our work helps the people and organizations and businesses that make up our communities.”
Scott often exhibits a high level of excitement when it comes to discussing community newspapers and the journalism they produce. She embraces the challenges that newspaper work brings and looks forward to helping other publishers tackle problems around the state.
“We know we have the power to change our neighborhoods. We need to find ways to work together and use that power to sustain our businesses,” she said.
Part of that change will be finding the best ways to serve younger readers online. “Younger readers consume news differently. As legacy print producers, we need to find ways to deliver our products on the platforms they are using,” Scott said.
Scott lives in Crystal City with Rob, her husband of almost 40 years. Together, they have four grown children. She will officially take office as MPA president Jan. 1.
Amos Bridges, editor-in-chief of the Springfield News-Leader, will continue on the MPA Board of Directors through 2025 as past president.
Other 2025 MPA officers and directors elected Sept. 20, include First Vice President, Bryan Chester, Columbia Missourian; Second Vice President, Bryan Jones, Morgan County Statesman, Versailles; Secretary, Donna Bischoff, Bridge Tower Media, St. Louis; and Treasurer, Jaime Mowers, Webster-Kirkwood Times, St. Louis.
Directors for three-year terms include Ron Schott, Wright County Journal, Mountain Grove; Kenneth L. Garner, Garner Media Holdings, Maryville; and Gary Castor, Jefferson City News Tribune.
Hannah Spaar, The Odessan, Odessa, was elected as the National Newspaper Association state chair.
Continuing on the MPA Board in 2025 will be directors: Kimberly Combs, Betters Newspapers Inc., Piedmont; Tim Schmidt, Westplex Media, Montgomery City; Lucas Presson, Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau; Sandy Nelson, Courier Tribune, Liberty; and Mike Scott, NEMO News Media Group, Kahoka.
Missouri Press Association was founded in 1867 by Missouri newspaper editors and publishers. Today, MPA has more than 200 member newspapers representing every Missouri county, along with many more news websites and other organizations. Members play a key role in their communities, keeping local citizens informed, stimulating local commerce and fostering economic development. Headquartered in Columbia, the Association works with Missouri Press Service and Missouri Press Foundation to preserve the history of the newspaper industry, promote the journalism profession throughout the world and protect the free flow of information through legislation such as Missouri’s Sunshine Law.
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