Who owns the newspapers? Carpenter Media Group (we are the Heartland Division)
In addition to publishing a newspaper, what other services do you provide? We have an extensive selection of digital advertising services. Also, through our divisional operation, we offer publication printing for businesses, chambers of commerce and other entities
Circulation of newspapers: Sedalia Democrat (3,400), Warrensburg Star-Journal (2,500)
Number of issues per week/publication days: Both papers publish a print edition on Tuesday and Friday and we update our websites daily
Number of full-time and part-time staff: 10 full-time, one part-time
Population of the town and county: Sedalia − 22,086 (Pettis County − 43,530); Warrensburg − 19,673 (Johnson County − 54,062)
Is the community growing, declining, or holding steady? Growing! We have new companies moving into our area on a regular basis.
Your greatest challenge: Finding and keeping good staff − right now, I have a great team.
Also, overcoming the “no one reads newspapers” philosophy.
Newspaper’s biggest strength: When the paper is hyperlocal. We are the only real source of local news for Sedalia and Warrensburg.
We have “feet on the street.” Kansas City papers don’t cover our area on a regular basis, and they don’t cover our high school sports or city council.
Newspaper’s biggest weakness or obstacle to overcome: Reporters are becoming stretched very thin (they still do a great job), but it is hard for them to be in two places at the same time. This seems to be the bane of more publications.
Your family: Locally, two black cats Pokey (at 20 he's slightly senile and going blind but still very spunky) and Khan my fat lap cat. My St. Louis family consists of my middle sister and her partner and my youngest sister.
Your hobbies/interests: Travel − the best vacation I have ever had was a trip to Australia, but I have lived in so many interesting places (Anchorage, Colorado Springs, Petersburg, Virginia, Los Angeles, San Jose, etc.) that travel is sometimes an extra bonus of the job. I also enjoy books (historical fiction, especially the period covering the War of the Roses) and people watching (Las Vegas is a prime spot for this when I am not losing to the nickel slots).
List something interesting or unusual about you: I am addicted to Chinese language historical dramas. The costumes are gorgeous and the stories are so…dramatic. They help me unwind after a busy day.
What is your favorite journalism accomplishment? Surviving in this industry for 44 years while still keeping my passion for newspapers. I was lucky enough to have Ray Hartmann hire a very green Mizzou J-School grad to work at the Riverfront Times for my first job. Over the years, I have seen so many changes to our industry, some good (the growth of hyperlocal news and digital advertising options) and some not so much (the closure of so many small papers, creating news deserts). I have been able to adapt fairly easily and still keep my sanity.
If you weren’t a a publisher, what do you think you would be doing? Well, I come from the sales side so probably selling something. I love to sell. I think it is the thrill of the hunt and closing the deal. I am actually very good at advertising sales. I think I look fairly benign so people are surprised when I hit them with the close whammy. Or I would be a history teacher. Kind of different options, huh?