 |
Speaker:Bill Masterson Jr. Sponsor: Rapid City Journal
|
Date:010/18/2011 Time:11:30am Location:The Rushmore Plaza |
Newspapers & The Digital Future
Bill Masterson Jr. became publisher of The Times Media Company, a division of Lee Enterprises in November 2006 and was named group publisher for Lee in July 2011 overseeing Lee Properties in South Carolina, Kentucky and South Dakota. Bill has held the title of publisher for over 24 years first being named to that position at age 27 as publisher of the Black Hills Pioneer in Spearfish, SD.
Bill began his newspaper career as a carrier for the Daily Oklahoman in the 1970s and was selected in 1976 as Parade magazine’s Young Columbus Carrier of the Year for the Daily Oklahoman. That year he was also awarded the key to the city of Lawton, Oklahoma for his outstanding achievements as a youth. During Masterson’s time as publisher of the Rapid City Journal, the newspaper won a Lee President’s Award for news coverage; and in 2004 he was individually awarded the Lee President’s Award for Innovation for his efforts to drive political revenue into newspapers. Also during Masterson’s time at the Journal he served on the board of directors for the South Dakota Newspaper Association for seven years and was president of the organization in 2002.
Previous affiliations include: executive council of the board of directors, Rapid City Chamber of Commerce; executive council, the Black Hills Vision economic development group; board of directors, Arrowhead Country Club; region six director, the National Newspaper Association; president, Spearfish Optimist Club; lieutenant governor, Optimist Club for the Dakotas, Manitoba, and Minnesota district; board of directors, Yellow Jacket Foundation.
Masterson was honored as Optimist Club “Man of the Year “ in 1989 and 1990. He was also named Green and Gold Foundation “Booster of the Year” in 1995.
Since coming to Northwest Indiana, Masterson has been active with efforts to unite a diverse region. He was responsible for creating a movement called “One Region: One Vision,” bringing leaders of the many and varied interests of the area together for identification of regional issues, discussion and working for the common good of all residents. He also serves on the executive board of directors for the Barden Gary Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana where he is leading a campaign to build a new Boys & Girls Club and Community Center in Gary. The NW Indiana Times was recognized as the fastest growing English speaking newspaper in the country in 2008 followed by three Lee presidents awards in 2009 and 10. Also in 2010 the NW Indiana Times was named “Enterprise of the Year” for all of Lee Enterprises and in 2011 was named one of the top 10 newspapers in the country that “Do it Right” by the industry trade Magazine editor & Publisher.
Bill and his wife, Julie, reside in Valparaiso, Ind. They have six children and three grandchildren.
This program is free for AAF-Black Hills members, $30 for non-members, $20 for each additional AAF-Black Hills Corporate Member (Corporate Membership must have three or more individuals within your organization), and $20 for students.
Not certain where the Rapid City Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn is? Click here for directions and a map.
