Jim Beaver retires after four decades in newspaper industry

BOERNE – Longtime Granite Publications employee and Boerne Star Publisher Jim Beaver has retired after 42 years in the newspaper profession.
Beaver, 67, started in the business at a daily newspaper in Festus, Missouri. He has worked at Granite Publications, The Star’s parent company, since 2008.
At the time of his retirement, he was one of two executive area publishers for the company, overseeing several newspapers in the group while also being responsible for The Boerne Star.
Beaver started his newspaper career in 1979 with the Daily News Democrat in Festus, Missouri. A few years later, he went to South Texas to work at the Mid-Valley Town Crier.  Over the next 20 years, he also published The Light and Champion in Center followed by stints in Batesville, Mississippi and Perryville, Missouri.
Moving to St. Louis, he worked for the Suburban Journal newspapers in St. Louis, owned by Lee Enterprises, which allowed him to return to Festus to manage a twice-weekly newspaper with 60,000 circulation. He joined Granite after that newspaper was sold.
“It’s been a great ride, Beaver said. “I’ve made friends with hundreds of people in these 42 years. I’ve lived and visited places in this country that I never would have had the opportunity to.”
His retirement was effective Thursday, July 15.
The company also announced the promotion of Boerne Star Managing Editor Keith E. Domke to general manager. Domke oversees the day-to-day operations of the newspaper.
“Jim Beaver has been a part of our Granite family for a long time, serving as VIP ad director, publisher and executive area publisher for 13 years,” Granite Publications Vice President of Operations Daniel Philhower said. “We’re going to miss him terribly, but as he steps into retirement we are very confident he is leaving things in very good hands with Keith Domke as the general manager. We wish Jim all the happy things only retirement can offer.”
Beaver started at Granite as its web sales and VIP advertising director before moving into management roles as publisher in Elgin and then Boerne.
“It’s going to be a nice transition from newspaperman to retiree, and my wife, Penny, and I have lots of traveling and visiting to do,” he said. “I’ll be 68 in a few months, and I think it’s time to turn in the keys. The Boerne Star staff is a fantastic staff and Keith Domke will be a good leader of the team.”
Domke, 60, also is a career newspaperman who has served in management roles for 38 years, including a stint in Wyoming as a publisher. During his career, he has earned 55 newspaper awards, received several community recognitions, including a mayoral distinguished service proclamation and a city’s public servant of the year award, and has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He also was nominated for businessman of the year this past year by the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce.
Domke said he will retain his current editorial responsibilities while also overseeing the advertising and financial aspects of the paper.
“I am fully confident that Keith will continue to serve the Boerne community in his new role and will continue to ensure our local businesses are successful and ensure your local newspaper remains strong well into the future,” Philhower said.
Granite Publications owns and manages 12 community newspapers and one printing press.