MADISON – Paul Seeling, president of Gateway Publishing, Inc., was elected president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Board of Directors on Thursday, March 7, at the Madison Concourse Hotel during the group’s 165th Convention & Trade Show.
Seeling serves as editor and publisher of the (Spring Valley) Sun-Argus, the Woodville Leader and MyGatewayNews.com, as well as the Valley Values Shopper. He was first elected to the WNA Board of Directors as a representative of the northwest district in 2012. Seeling, a Minneapolis native, founded Gateway Publishing in 2005, after spending 30 years in the commercial landscape industry, as well as five years working in live music production.
Over the years, his newspapers have been frequently recognized with WNA Better Newspaper Contest awards, including General Web Excellence in 2011 and 2014 and Most Improved Newspaper in 2005, 2006 and 2014.
Seeling succeeds Sidney “Skip” Bliss, president of Bliss Communications and publisher of The Gazette, Janesville. Bliss becomes immediate past president.
Seeling, on behalf of the WNA Board of Directors, presented Bliss with a traditional “Buck Board” during the WNA Awards Banquet on March 7. The framed keepsake that included a personal note from each board member served as a small token of appreciation for Bliss’ leadership.
Bliss spoke eloquently about the industry and closed with positive remarks about its future. He then introduced Seeling and passed the gavel of succession to him.
Seeling thanked Bliss for all he did during his tenure as WNA President. During his acceptance remarks, Seeling said, “Thank you, Skip, for all you have done for the WNA. I am honored to accept this position with this great association. Thank you to the Board of Directors, your leadership is inspiring.
“Thank you to Beth Bennett and the WNA staff for all you do for us and our industry. It is amazing, and I hope you all are aware of it. Let’s hand out these well-earned awards!”
Other newly elected officers include:
- Heather Rogge, digital director for Conley Media in West Bend, first vice president
- Gregg Walker, publisher of The Lakeland Times, Minocqua, second vice president
- Kevin Clifford, publisher of the Watertown Daily Times, third vice president
- Patrick Reilly, publisher of The Dodgeville Chronicle, secretary
- George Stanley, editor and senior vice president of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, board treasurer
