The kickoff session of the new Executive Development Program hosted by America's Newspapers and funded by the Inland Press Foundation was held April 9-10 in Orlando, Florida, in advance of the Mega-Conference.

An opening dinner was held on April 9 to enable participants to get to know each other and full-day sessions were held on April 10.

This is a six-part program focused on the core topics that emerging leaders need to further their careers. The curriculum is tactical, developmental and inspirational with participants gaining exposure to multiple disciplines. Each session was led by industry veterans who provided an overview of the business of newspapers and a roadmap for the skills needed to be successful.

Four virtual meetings (via Zoom) will be held over the next few months, followed by a wrap-up session Oct. 14-15 at The Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans, as part of the America’s Newspapers annual meeting.

This program is designed for emerging newspaper managers who are looking to take the next steps in their career. General managers, sales leaders, editors and managers from other disciplines from local newspapers, regional operations or corporate offices are primary candidates, although other levels of organizations also will be considered.

Watch for information later this year about taking part in the 2023 Class.

Years in the Industry: 8 years

Previous Experience: I had been in the shopper industry prior to the newspaper industry for a little over 13 years.

What I like most about my job: I enjoy interacting with the advertising clients, community involvement and working with a great staff!

What's the greatest opportunity for newspapers in the future? Becoming more diverse in how we present journalism and advertising to our audiences is the opportunity!

Years in the Industry: 23 years

Previous Experience: Advertising representative, advertising manager, GM, regional ad director, digital director and interim associate publisher.

What I like most about my job: Ultimately, for me, is being in a position to help my staff, my company and local businesses to grow professionally and financially! Every day is full of unique obstacles and challenges, and I am always up for a challenge. This industry affords me the opportunity to be competitive, and with good competition, comes great reward and a sense of accomplishment.

What's the greatest opportunity for newspapers in the future? To keep creating compelling local content that the news consumer cannot simply Google search and read from non-local sources. Our strength has always been and always will be the creation of original local content. In the upcoming decade, flexibility and the willingness to try new methods will likely be common factors that determine our fate. #challengethestatusquo

In a memo to staff on Wednesday, it was announced that Sara Gillesby will lead global video for AP and Josh Hoffner will direct U.S. news coverage.

The owner of a Maine newspaper has decided to recognize a union formed by its employees.

The union will represent more than 30 newsroom workers at the Bangor Daily News, which covers Maine’s third-largest city and many of its rural northern and eastern communities.

America's Newspapers will recognize editorial page excellence at its annual meeting this fall, with the presentation of the 2022 Carmage Walls Commentary Prize.

The prize is named for the late Benjamin Carmage Walls whose newspaper career spanned seven decades. Walls primarily owned community newspapers and advocated strong, courageous and positive editorial page leadership. His friends and associates funded the cost of the awards for the first 10 years. Southern Newspapers, Inc. — led by Lissa Walls Cribb, his daughter, CEO of Southern Newspapers — has been underwriting the cost of the awards since then.