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Newsmakers April 2015

Todd Frantz 

Stephenville Empire-Tribune/Glen Rose Reporter

Todd Frantz has been named general manager and advertising director for the Stephenville Empire-Tribune and the Glen Rose Reporter, both publications of Gatehouse Media. Frantz has been in the newspaper industry for more than 25 years. He worked for newspapers in Texas (Fort Bend and Victoria), California and, most recently, Utah. His titles have included editor, ad director and publisher.

Wayne Hodgin

Lake Country Sun

“The PK lake area is a very vibrant community that draws millions of people to Palo Pinto County every year. It’s exciting to not only be able to report on the goings on that propel the inevitable growth of this region, but also to be a part of it.”

Wayne Hodgins has been named editor of the Lake Country Sun. He graduated from Texas Tech in 2001 with a degree in journalism after serving two stints as editor-in-chief of the university’s daily newspaper. Since then he has worked for weekly and daily newspapers in

the Houston, Lubbock, Wichita Falls and Abilene markets in Texas and the Atlanta and Savannah markets in Georgia. Most recently, Hodgin served as the editor of three small weeklies in the West Texas area, including papers in Post, Aspermont and Knox County.

In 2013, he was named a Journalist of the Year by the West Texas Press Association - an award presented to him by former editor of the Lake Country Sun, the late Mark Engebretson, who was president of that organization at that time.

Brandon Hughes

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

“I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to join the team at the AJ. I am looking forward to the bright future that we have in our industry and our company. Exciting times are ahead.”

Brandon Hughes was named publisher of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Hughes succeeds Steve Beasley, who is retiring and gave Hughes his first department head job.

Hughes began his media career in 1992 at the Avalanche-Journal in the transportation department. He has held several management positions in circulation, including vice president of circulation at the Avalanche-Journal and the Amarillo Globe-News. Most recently, he was vice president of audience at the Amarillo Globe-News.

Jessica Pounds

Cleburne Times-Review

“I am excited to write stories that will shed light on the positive values Cleburne and the surrounding areas have to offer.”

Jessica Pounds has joined the Cleburne Times-Review as features writer. Pound is a Maryland native and former U.S. Navy Sailor. She worked as a mass communication specialist 3rd class petty officer aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5) writing news stories and taking photos of everyday ship life.

She earned her degree in mass communication at Texas Wesleyan University. Pounds also owns a photography business, Married to Texas Photography.