Montana Newspaper Association announces resignation of executive director
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MONTANA — Erin Leonard, president of the Montana Newspaper Association, and Jeff Martinsen, president of the Montana Newspaper Advertising Service, announced last week the resignation of Executive Director Matt Gibson, effective March 8.
Gibson was hired as executive director in January 2019 and had previously served as both a director of the association and president.
“We thank Matt for his efforts to advance newspapers in Montana over many years and especially during his time as executive director these past two years. We wish him the very best going forward,” Leonard said.
For his part, Gibson said the work of the association remains as important as ever. “It has been a privilege working for Montana’s newspapers, and I remain committed to the work they do telling the stories of their communities, connecting citizens to government, businesses to customers and neighbor to neighbor,” he said. “The efforts of Montana’s newspapers will be vital to restoring the sense of shared understanding and purpose many Americans so desperately crave right now.”
Moving forward the MNA board remains engaged in the work of the association and will continue to evaluate the needs of the organization while providing its members the best service possible.
“As of today the association is in a leadership transition period, but for our members and customers, it is business as usual” Leonard said. “Please continue to contact the association as you normally would.”
Leonard said the association’s business office will operate on an interim basis for the next several months, while the launch of an executive director search process is expected to begin following the association’s annual meeting in June. During this time interim personnel and procedures may be announced as the board evaluates all of the operations of the association and how best to meet the needs of its members.
Leonard asked for everyone’s patience as the board works to provide a smooth transition and the best possible staffing going forward.
“Despite the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MNA enjoyed extraordinary success in 2020. This success included record advertising revenue to member newspapers and a well-received virtual convention in October,” she said. “Now is the time to redouble our efforts to be advocates for our industry, our members and the communities they serve.”
