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August Newsmakers
In order of appearance, from left to right:
DOLPH TILLOTSON
The Galveston County Daily News
Dolph Tillotson will retire Aug. 29 after 24 years as publisher of The Galveston County Daily News. He will become executive vice president of Southern Newspapers Inc. of Houston. The company operates 15 newspapers in Texas, Alabama and Georgia and has common ownership with The Daily News.
Tillotson and his wife, Teri Jo Schaper, will continue to live on Galveston Island. Tillotson also will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors of Galveston Newspapers Inc., the company that publishes The Daily News.
PATRICK GRAHAM
The Galveston County Daily News
Patrick Graham was named publisher of The Galveston County Daily News, effective Aug. 29. For the past two years, Graham has served as publisher of The Paris News, a sister paper to The Daily News.
After graduating from the University of Alabama in 1991, Graham began his career on the editorial side of the newspaper industry. He has served as managing editor of the Fort Payne (Ala.) Times-Journal, general manager of the Sand Mountain Reporter of Albertville, Ala., and publisher of The Walton Tribune of Monroe, Ga.
J.D. DAVIDSON
The Paris News
J.D. Davidson was named publisher of The Paris News. He previously served as editor of the Fort Payne (Ala.) Times-Journal, a sister paper to both Galveston and Paris.
Davidson’s 25-year newspaper career spans seven newspapers in Ohio, Georgia and Alabama. He began as a sports writer in his hometown of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and has spent time as a a sports editor, copy desk chief, managing editor and finally publisher in Fort Payne, Ala.
Davidson attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where he played baseball.
DEBRA WELLS
Borger News Herald
Debra Wells was named general manager of the Borger News Herald. Wells is the former publisher/editor of The Eagle Press in Fritch. She and her husband, Derrol, owned the weekly newspaper for 12 years.
Most recently, Wells worked at the Golden Plains Community Hospital in Borger as an administrative assistant to the CEO.
Wells told the News Herald she believes newspapers are the lifeblood of rural communities and is excited about the opportunity to serve the community of Borger.
KEITH MAGEE
Wharton Journal-Spectator
Keith Magee joined the Wharton Journal-Spectator and East Bernard Express as managing editor. Magee was the assistant editor for the past four years at the Pilot Point Post-Signal.
A 29-year veteran in the newspaper business, Magee has also worked at The Baytown Sun, The Bastrop Advertiser, Wise County Messenger, Lewisville News, Cooke County Leader, Killeen Daily Herald and Gainesville Daily Register.
Magee graduated in 1982 from the University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
DAVID BOWSER
The Pampa News
David Bowser retired from The Pampa News. Bowser has been a longtime reporter/photographer for the paper, beginning in the early ’90s.
He started his career as a young reporter in the ’50s and over the years has served in various editorial positions for several Texas newspapers.
Early on, Bowser developed a passion and talent for photography. He has taken photos for such publications as The New York Times, American Profile and Livestock Weekly and will continue to work as a freelance photographer during his retirement.
MOLLIE BRYANT
The Pampa News
Mollie Bryant joined The Pampa News staff as a reporter.
Bryant graduated from Southwest University with a degree in sociology and philosophy. Her interest in journalism formed in college, where she started a magazine called The Kazoo that focused on the arts.
A native of Amarillo, Bryant has been living in Austin for the last few years. She told the paper that it was nice to be back in the Panhandle. Her family still lives in Amarillo.
In her spare time, she plays guitar and enjoys movies and music.
JAY ERMIS
The Boerne Star
Jay Ermis was named news editor of The Boerne Star. Ermis, a native of Yoakum, joined The Star after spending more than 10 months as managing editor of The Cameron Herald and Thorndale Champion. He replaces Candace Velvin, who returned to the Cameron and Thorndale publications as editor and publisher.
Prior to his stay in Cameron, Ermis served as managing editor of The Huntsville Item for more than three years. He also served as managing editor of The Sealy News and the Del Rio News-Herald and was editor of the Colorado City Record. |
