Newsmakers

New hires, promotions and other personnel news reported at Texas newspapers and published in the February 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

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EMILY BANKS WOOTEN & MADISON BLAND

Polk County Enterprise

LIVINGSTON – Two promotions within the ranks of Polk County Publishing Company Inc. were recently announced by Publisher Kelli Barnes.

“Emily Banks Wooten has accepted the position of managing editor. She already took over as editor of the East Texan magazine in 2024, in addition to her Polk County Enterprise editorial duties, but now has agreed to take a more active role in collaborating with the entire news team, advertising team, and design team to make the Polk County Enterprise and the East Texan magazine even better products,” Barnes said.

“I’m excited to pursue this new opportunity. My 19 years with the company – through various stages and iterations – have certainly contributed to my investment in, and passion for, our company and the publications we produce,” Wooten said. “My goal is to continually improve our products for our consumers by providing top-of-the-line content for both readers and advertisers.”

Wooten serves on the Polk County Historical Commission and is a member of the Polk County Branch of AAUW and First Methodist Church Livingston.

“Madison Bland has accepted the position of advertising manager for Polk County Enterprise. Since she began with PCPC, she has steadily grown the accounts she was given and continues to prove her commitment to growing revenue in Polk County and representing our company professionally in the community,” Barnes said.

“I am thrilled to celebrate my five-year anniversary at the Enterprise with my new position as advertising manager. I can’t wait to connect and be more a part of the community for 2025. I hope to help my team grow as well as myself,” Bland said. “I am also looking forward to contributing to our East Texan magazine by writing The Style and Beauty Guide by Madison.”

Bland serves as an ambassador with the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce.

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LYNSI  MUSSELMAN

The Albany News

ALBANY – Lynsi Musselman is the new director of advertising for the Albany News.

She was hired recently by new owner and publisher David Walker. She succeeds Ginger Bartee, who held the position for the past seven years.

In addition to working with advertisers, Musselman may also occasionally assist with writing articles. Shortly after moving to Albany in 2020, Musselman worked as a writer for the newspaper with previous owners Donnie and Melinda Lucas.

She and her husband James Musselman, an Albany native, moved their family to Albany from Abilene. She has been active in the community, serving as a director of the chamber of commerce, city council member and Albany Live treasurer.

She is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a bachelor degree in journalism.

Her work with the Albany News is part time as she continues her employment with the Albany ISD as payroll clerk and secretary to the superintendent.