New officers elected to lead TPA

SAN MARCOS – Leonard Woolsey accepted the gavel as president of the Texas Press Association during traditional installation ceremonies at the 2022 TPA Convention and Trade Show.
Woolsey, publisher of The Daily News, Galveston, is the association’s 144th president and succeeds Jim Bardwell, who becomes chairman of the board of directors.
Because of the transition back to summer annual meetings, Bardwell served 18 months as president. He expressed appreciation for the support of his TPA family throughout his term, especially since the tragic loss of his wife, Suzanne, in January.
During Bardwell’s presidency, TPA has coordinated efforts with Column to provide online access to public notices published in Texas newspapers. Bardwell initiated conversations with UIL leadership concerning issues with newspaper access to UIL events while covering local sports and academic UIL activities. In addition, he participated in a National Newspaper Association-sponsored virtual meeting with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to discuss issues with post office delivery of community newspapers. He also encouraged members to be proactive in their communities and to promote local government transparency.
In expressing appreciation for Bardwell’s work during presentation of items commemorating his service, Woolsey noted “we are your family” and said he looked forward to working with Bardwell in his new role as chairman of the board.
As he took office, Woolsey noted the long history of TPA dating to 1880 and the service newspapers have provided to their communities. He also encouraged the membership to embrace change and adapt to the evolving landscape of the industry. “We need to get our swagger back and stop apologizing for what we do for a living,” he said, adding that newspapers have a long history of building trust in their communities.
“What you do matters to your community,” he said, noting when a local newspaper is lost, the fabric of the community changes.
Other 2022-23 officers include Ken Cooke, Fredericksburg Standard Radio-Post, first vice president; Lisa Chappell, Greenville Herald Banner, second vice president; and Bill Patterson, Denton Record-Chronicle, treasurer.
Newly elected directors are Brad Blakemore, The Dallas Morning News, and Murray Judson, Port Aransas South Jetty. 
Elected directors continuing their terms are Jake Mienk, Palestine Herald-Press; Melissa Perner, Ozona Stockman; Yvonne Mintz, The Facts, Clute; and Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise.
New directors appointed by Woolsey include Jim Moser, Jackson County Herald-Tribune, Edna; Rick Craig, Nacogdoches Sentinel; Dalton Sweat, Wimberley View; Max Kabat, Big Bend Sentinel, Maria; Patrick Canty, Odessa American; Jason Hennington, Taylor Press; Ana Cosino, The Navasota Examiner; and Neice Bell, New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.
Woolsey joined The Daily News in 2014 and since 2019 has served as president of Southern Newspapers, Inc. He came to Texas from the Times-Georgian in Carrollton, Georgia, where he served as president and group publisher for several newspapers and magazines in the Atlanta market.
He had previously worked for the Paxton Media Group of Paducah, Kentucky. He has managed newspapers in a wide variety of markets,  and insists that each newspaper focus on its local communities first.
He noted that he is especially proud that The Daily News, now 180 years old and the oldest newspaper in Texas, is today helping lead the state press association.
In addition to TPA, he also serves on the board of America’s Newspapers, the group formed with the 2019 merger of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association and the Inland Press Association.
In addition to traditional programs and industry sessions, the 2022 convention included an outing on Friday evening when TPA members visited the Roughhouse Brewery near San Marcos for an evening of brewery tours, dinner, live music and networking. Buses transported members to and from the site.
Sponsors for the convention and trade show were eType Services, Explore Branson, Lumen, Modulist, 4 Media, The Daily Wire, Metro Creative and KidScoop.
The 2023 TPA Convention and Trade Show is scheduled June 1-3, 2023 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock.