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Newsmakers for July 2018

Promotions, staff additions at Texas newspapers.

Travis Webb
Kerrville Daily Times
KERRVILLE – Travis Webb has taken the helm of the Kerrville Daily Times newsroom as managing editor after leading the Seguin Gazette for two years.
During his time at the Gazette, Webb earned several awards, including the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Division A Star Designer of the Year for 2018 and a first place in headline writing from the Texas Press Association.
He graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2008 and worked for the Tyler Morning Telegraph for six years before becoming assistant managing editor at the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. It was there that he first worked with Neice Bell, publisher of the Kerrville Daily Times, who said she is looking forward to working with him again.

Chris Lykins
Seguin Gazette
SEGUIN – Chris Lykins has returned to the Seguin Gazette as editor, General Manager Elizabeth Engelhardt announced.
After 16 years with the Gazette, 11 years as managing editor, Lykinsleft in December 2014 to lead the editorial department at the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitun as managing editor. From there, he went to the San Antonio Express-News as social media producer for ExpressNews.com.
After his four-year stint away, Lykins said he is ready to reconnect with the community. During his previous tenure with the Gazette, Lykins helped the newspaper build its online presence and established the Gazette on Facebook.
Engelhardt noted Lykins’ strong social media presence will be welcome back at the Gazette, which has many Facebook followers.

Ben Tinsley
MediaOne, LLC
KERENS – MediaOne, L.L.C. recently welcomed Ben Tinsley as the new managing editor for its newspapers in Mabank, Malakoff and Kerens.
“Ben will be an important addition to our team in covering the news of the Cedar Creek Lake area, Athens, Kerens, and the surrounding counties of Henderson, Kaufman, Navarro and Van Zandt,” General Manager Susan Harrison said. 
During his career, Tinsley, 51, has worked as a reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Arlington Morning News, the Amarillo Globe-News, the Galveston County Daily News, the Odessa American, the Baytown Sun and the Sheridan (Wyoming) Press. 
While working in Las Vegas, he covered business news for the Las Vegas Business Press and the entertainment industry for publisher Michael Politz’s Vegas Eye blog and Las Vegas Food and Beverage Magazine.
Tinsley has worked as a staff writer for the Texas Jewish Post in Dallas and as managing editor of both the Glen Rose Reporter and the Burleson Star. Most recently, he has written for the Fort Worth Business Press. He has won several writing and reporting awards. 
He is a 1991 graduate of Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

Jason Chlapek
Trinity Standard
TRINITY – Jason Chlapek is the new editor of the Trinity Standard.
He is also editor of the Groveton News and will be covering all of Trinity County.
Throughout his 15-year career, Chlapek has been a sports writer/editor with experience in covering education as well. He has worked with newspapers in New Braunfels, Plano, Kerrville, Seguin, Madisonville, Gonzales, Center and Brenham. In addition to editing the Standard, he will cover Trinity ISD, Trinity City Council and Trinity County Commissioners Court.
 
Kendall Lyons
The Quinlan-Tawakoni News
QUINLAN – Kendall Lyons has joined The Quinlan-Tawakoni News, replacing retired journalist Larry Briscoe. 
Lyons, 33, is a native of Dallas. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Oklahoma Christian University and a master’s degree in Christian ministry from Dallas Baptist University. 
Lyons first began his career in journalism as an on-air news and weather anchor at KNON 89.3 FM during his senior year in high school. While a college student in Oklahoma, he got involved with the campus TV and radio station and gained experience as weather and news anchor, radio station manager, radio show host and technical director. 
Lyons has also worked for KXASTV, KFORTV, Radio America, KNON 89.3 FM, SwagIt Productions and the Terrell Tribune.
Lyons is also an ordained minister and serves as an associate minister at Beth-Eden Baptist Church in Dallas. He and his wife Rachel reside in Garland.

Thomas Wallner
The Graham Leader
GRAHAM – Thomas Wallner is the new editor of The Graham Leader, Publisher Danny Hukel announced.
Wallner takes over from Brenda Sommer, who announced earlier in the year she would be moving to be closer to her family.
As reporter for the Leader for the past three years, Wallner said he was waiting for the opportunity to advance.
In addition to expanding community coverage in Graham, Wallner said he plans to increase the amount of autonomy for the editors of the Breckenridge American and the Jackboro Herald-Gazette, which in turn will help him focus efforts on Graham and Young County.
“We also plan to bring on a new reporter for Graham, allowing me to continue to produce more coverage of local events, government and stories about Young County people,” Wallner said.