The Daily and Sunday Review, July 13

James Towner named general manager in Scranton; George Lynett Jr. takes over in Towanda

A new publisher will take charge of The Daily & Sunday Review in Towanda when James E. Towner assumes a new position at the Times-Tribune in Scranton, and is succeeded by George Lynett Jr.

Towner, who has overseen major changes at The Review since being named publisher 21 years ago, has been promoted to general manager of the flagship newspaper of Times-Shamrock Communications, the media company owned by the Lynett and Haggerty families. The Review was bought by the Lynett and Haggerty families in 1977.

George Lynett Jr. is the son of George Lynett, one of the owners of Times-Shamrock Communications. He is a member of the fourth generation of Times-Shamrock family ownership.

He has been part of the Times-Shamrock Management Development Program. “I am completing my final year in the four-year Times-Shamrock’s Management Development Program, which required me to work for several years outside of the family business, complete a master’s degree program, complete a one-year internship with another media company and spend three years working in various divisions of Times-Shamrock.”

Commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1996, he currently is a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve.

“I am extremely excited to come to Towanda,” Lynett said. “Jim Towner leaves very big shoes to fill, but I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead. The Daily Review is a great newspaper with a wonderful staff, and I hope to continue in the great tradition of service to our readers and advertisers. It is my goal that The Daily Review be an indispensable part of the community.”

Towner was raised in Towanda, worked for The Review since 1971, and has been active in civic affairs for many years. He was the circulation director of The Review in 1977 when Times-Shamrock purchased the newspaper from David M. Turner. Towner held various positions before being named Publisher in 1985.

“I leave Towanda, Bradford County and The Review with mixed feelings. While I have enjoyed my time as publisher at The Review and had the opportunity to work with a great staff over the years, I’m happy to be going to our company’s flagship paper, and working with their great staff of employees. It will be a new opportunity and challenge for me.”

He added, “I’ve met a lot of great people throughout the county and made many friends. It will be difficult saying goodbye to so many wonderful people. I’m thankful for all the support the Review has received from our readers and advertisers over the years that I’ve been publisher.”

Asked to identify the highlights of his professional career here, Towner mentioned starting the Sunday paper in 1987, and overseeing the building of the state-of-the-art printing facility, which opened in Towanda Township in 2001. He added, “Seeing the Review grow in size with technology advancements that allow delivery of a multi-section paper with full process color everyday to our readers and advertisers.” The newspaper staff also has won many awards for news coverage and service to the community during Towner’s tenure as publisher.

Towner and his wife Judi will relocate to the Clarks Summit area.

Officially, Towner will not take over from General Manager Harold F. Marion, Jr., who is retiring, until Jan. 1. However, Towner said he will slowly work his way into the position and by October expects to be spending considerable time at the Scranton newspaper.

“George Lynett Jr., will be a great publisher for The Review,” Towner said. “I leave with full confidence that The Review will continue to grow and be Bradford County’s leading news source well into the future.”

Lynett graduated from Scranton Preparatory School in 1990. He earned a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, Mass. in 1994 and earned a diploma in Business Studies and Industrial Relations at the London School of Economics, London, England, in 1995. In addition, he holds an M.B.A. from Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business, in Washington, D.C.

He was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1996 and was assigned to the USS Benfold, an Arleigh Burke class Destroyer, in 1997. He spent three years onboard the Benfold, completing two tours to the Persian Gulf in 1997 and 1999.

“I’ve spent the past three years working for Times-Shamrock as an advertising account executive for the San Antonio Current in San Antonio, Tex., then as an account executive for WJZI radio in Milwaukee, Wis., and finally as a circulation zone manager for the Wilkes-Barre Citizen’s Voice newspaper,” Lynett said. In addition, he has worked for Hearst Newspapers at the San Francisco Chronicle.

Lynett discussed the outlook for the months ahead. “My fiancé, Katey, and I plan to move to the area following our September wedding and are both very excited about getting to know the area and becoming involved in the community,” he said.

He added, “I want to wish Jim well in his new position at the Times-Tribune, and I look forward to working with him for many years to come.”

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