NewsBeat

February 2023 NewsBeat 16 News from newspapers across the state Johnson Newspaper Corp. names Valik new CEO WATERTOWN — WATERTOWN — Gary C. Valik, vice president of John- son Newspaper Corp., has been named chief executive officer, effective with the new year. Valik, who has de- cades of newspaper experience working in advertising, circu- lation and marketing, has been with the company since 2014. Valik has a degree in communications from Ithaca College and a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University. Before joining JNC, Valik worked in several capacities for Advance/New- house at the Syracuse Post-Standard. He is the first non-family chief execu- tive officer in four generations. Johnson Newspaper Corp. publish- es the Watertown Daily Times, Malone Telegram, The Pennysaver, Ogdensburg Journal, St. Lawrence Plaindealer, Cou- rier-Observer, Journal & Republican, Oswego County News, Oswego County Shopper, Livingston County News, The Daily News, The Daily Mail, Regis- ter-Star and Shop n' Find. Alec E. Johnson, company president, editor and publisher, said Valik's com- mitment to the company over the past eight years and his vision for the future made him an easy pick for the role. "We have been operating in a period of transition for the past couple years, largely disrupted by the pandemic," Johnson said. "As we looked to the fu- ture it is time to set specific roles and clearly delineate responsibilities." Valik joined as corporate director of audience and special projects. He was named vice president of sales and mar- keting in 2015, vice president of circu- lation in 2018 and vice president of the corporation in 2020. In his eight years with the company, he has helped the business overcome operational hurdles and make chang- es for the better, the company said. His outside-the-box thinking helped the company become the leader in the nation for a newspaper using the U.S. Postal Service for delivery. In 2020, during the pandemic, he was a driving force behind the Times Extra, which brought news to readers on Mon- days, when there was no print edition of the Times. That initiative brought in enough rev- enue to support a reporting position. During the change from carrier delivery to mail, Valik argued in favor of return- ing a Monday edition to readers and growing a combined Weekend Edition to be published on Saturday, following the post office schedule. He is a regular face in the newsroom, pitching story ideas and relaying his experience as a Northern New York res- ident, community member and father. In the last year he has overseen the re-launch of the Ogdensburg Journal and St. Lawrence Plaindealer, growth in commercial printing, digital and print advertising, and circulation. "It is in the best interest of our company to have someone outside the family, with new and different ideas, in the chief management role," Johnson said. "Gary has a proven track record of success. I have worked with him daily and he has risen to every occasion that has presented itself. His appointment will allow me to focus on being a pub- lisher and strengthening our news- rooms and our reporting." Gary lives in Watertown with his wife Ana, daughter Annia. He also has a son Bradley and daughter Stacia. Don Einstein to retire from Newspaper Publishers The publisher of Newspaper Publish- ers' three weekly community newspa- pers, Donald Einstein has announced he will retire as of March 31. Einstein began his publishing career in 1980 as the owner of Masthead Publications Inc. The group of three week- ly papers eventually became Newspaper Publishers LLC, a group of seven weekly newspapers. His family often teased him that he must have gotten ink in his blood when he was just 17 and working in a lino- type shop in New York City. He had no idea at that time that he would go on to help the Jewish Federation found The Reporter and then start his own news- paper business. Einstein and his wife Elizabeth, who has worked at his side as managing ed- itor, reporter and photographer, often share how blessed they feel to be in a business where they meet and work with wonderful and amazing people. They also feel blessed to have worked with the same staff for years and those co-workers are dear friends. Einstein moved to the Binghamton area in 1959 to attend Baptist Bible Seminary in Johnson City, NY. He graduated with a five-year Bachelor of Theology degree. He was employed by Broome County Social Services before taking a position with the Jewish Com- munity Center where his labors setting up The Reporter for long-term success, brought to life his love of newspaper- ing. At the breakfast and dinner tables, you would likely find him buried in the Binghamton local dailies, the Sun-Bulle-

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