BerksMontNews.com, April 30

Berks-Mont Newspapers names Paul new publisher

By David P. Anderson and Antoinette Colon
Berks-Mont Staff

After more than 20 years of newspaper experience, Patricia "Patti" Paul has been named the publisher of The Southern Berks News and all its sister publications of Berks-Mont Newspapers, a division of the Journal Register Company (JRC).

JRC President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Wright said in a recent memo, "Through hard work and solid performance Patti has progressed through a series of systems, production and accounting positions with the Times Herald, Montgomery Newspapers and Berks-Mont Newspapers."

A firm believer in the community-driven message, Paul said, "We are main street America."

Coming to Berks-Mont as Controller in 2004, Paul was more than acquainted with the local weekly papers.

"I've lived in Berks County since 1997 and I've always read the Southern Berks News. I always loved it."

She wants to ensure that during her tenure as publisher Berks-Mont papers continue to push the same great local content.

"I want Berks-Mont newspapers to focus on community local news, serve our readership and serve our advertisers," she said.

To help her in her new position and keep Berks-Mont going strong, Paul is looking for the support of her employees, who she sees as a great strength.

"Berks-Mont is the people who work here, who are dedicated, up for a challenge and do what needs to get done. You can't ask to have a better group of people to work with," added Paul.

Paul's career began in 1986 as a temp at The Times Herald in Norristown, and from there worked in a variety of positions.

From classified advertising, to accounting, to office manager.

In 1993, The Times Herald was purchased by the Journal Register Company, BerksMont's now-parent company.

Paul went on to work for Montgomery Newspapers from 1996 to 2004.

She found herself again working for JRC when they acquired Montgomery newspapers in 2001.

Following the acquisition of Berks-Mont by JRC in 2004, Paul landed her most recent position as controller.

Paul is replacing Angel Hernandez, who took the position of publisher at the start of the year after the former publisher Jim Webb retired.

Berks-Mont Newspapers was a formerly family-owned and operated newspaper that began in the 1800s.

Paul will mark a new era for the company as she becomes the first woman to be named publisher throughout the history of the company.

[BACK TO HEADLINES & DEADLINES HOME PAGE]