DENVER — Jerry Tidwell, publisher of the Hood County News, was elected treasurer of the National Newspaper Association during the group’s 118th Annual Convention in September.

Tidwell, who served as Texas Press Association president in 1996-97, had been Region 8 director for the association. John Montgomery was appointed to fill the remainder of Tidwell’s term as Region 8 director, who oversees Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

Tidwell also is a past president of North and East Texas Press Association and recipient of the group’s Sam Holloway Award honoring publishers for outstanding contributions to their communities and to journalism.

He began his newspaper career in 1970 as advertising manager of the Andrews County News, under the guidance of publisher James Roberts. He transferred to the Seminole

Mike Buffington, editor of the Jackson Herald in Jefferson, Ga. and vice president of MainStreet Newspapers Inc., was elected president of NNA. MainStreet also publishes The Commerce (Ga.) News; The Banks County News, Homer, Ga.; and The Madison County Journal, Danielsville, Ga.

Buffington succeeds Robert Sweeney, publisher and editor of Villager Newspapers in Denver, who becomes immediate past president.

Also elected to NNA’s executive committee was Jerry Reppert, publisher of the Gazette-Democrat in Anna, Ill., as vice president.