MADISON – Gregg Walker, publisher of The Lakeland Times and The Northwoods River News, was elected president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Board of Directors on Thursday, April 30, during the group’s annual meeting, held virtually via Zoom.
Walker has been publisher of The Times since 2006, when he took over the role from his father, Donald Walker, who in 1958 bought the twice-weekly Minocqua newspaper. In 2010, Walker added The River News, a three-days-a-week newspaper based in Rhinelander.
During his tenure, Walker’s newspapers have garnered hundreds of WNA Better Newspaper Contest awards, including The Times being named the 2018 Weekly Newspaper of the Year.
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Walker succeeds Paul Seeling, president of Gateway Publishing, Inc., and publisher of the (Spring Valley) Sun-Argus, the Woodville Leader and MyGatewayNews.com, as well as the Valley Values Shopper. Seeling becomes immediate past president.
Seeling spoke about what an honor it was to lead the WNA and the immense value the organization provides to its members. He then introduced Walker and virtually passed the gavel of succession to him.
Walker, along with other WNA Board and WNA Foundation board members, thanked Seeling for all he did during his tenure as WNA President.
Other newly elected officers include:
- Patrick Reilly, publisher of The Dodgeville Chronicle, first vice president
- George Stanley, editor and senior vice president of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, second vice president
- Kris O’Leary, publisher of The Record Review, Edgar, secretary
- Jeff Patterson, president of APG Media of Wisconsin, treasurer
WNA board directors include:
- Robb Grindstaff, APG Media of Southern Wisconsin, Fort Atkinson
- Rob Ireland, Lake Geneva Regional News
- Greg Mellis, Shawano Leader
- Randy Rickman, Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire
- John Smalley, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison
- Dave Wood, New London Press Star
- Joe Yovino, The Daily Reporter, Milwaukee
