After 32 years as Times-Journal publisher, Jim Poole is stepping down.
Mr. Poole and his wife, co-owner Sandy, sold the T-J and The Printers to Mark Vinciguerra, president of Capital Regional Independent Media.
A champion of local journalism, Mr. Vinciguerra publishes the Ravena News-Herald, Greenville Pioneer, Granville Sentinel and The Whitehall Times among his six weeklies and many specialty magazines.
But Mr. Vinciguerra doesn’t focus on print alone. He has two robust news websites, theupstater.com and nyvtmedia.com that partner with his papers.
“Mark knows the value of local news, and he very much recognizes that people in rural communities can’t get reliable news without dependable papers,” Mr. Poole said.
“At the same time, Mark’s innovative by boosting the digital side. He’ll raise the Times-Journal to a level it hasn’t been before.”
Mr. Vinciguerra’s experience includes stints at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and the Syracuse Post-Standard.
As daily papers changed and contracted their coverage, he saw opportunities in weeklies––both as essential news for readers and valuable advertising outlets for businesses.
“I’m very much looking forward to working with the members of the T-J team and to carry on Jim’s work and continue to bring quality local news and information to the area,” Mr. Vinciguerra said.
The T-J has strived to have a mix of news that people need to read and what they want to read, plus sports, feature stories and a lively opinion page bolstered by letters to the editor.
“Much of the Times-Journal’s success stems from its staff that’s dedicated to the news business,” Mr. Poole said.
“Just as important are the devoted readers who interact with the paper every week.”
Mr. Poole started as a reporter for the Times-Journal in 1977 and became editor in 1979 before he and Ms. Poole bought the T-J and The Printers, the commercial printing business, in 1992.
C.L. Ryder was the publisher from 1919 until 1974, a stretch of 55 years. Mr. Poole is the second-longest T-J publisher at 32 years.
“I’m proud to be second, but it’s a very distant second,” he said.
Mr. Poole will remain with the T-J during the transition and plans to continue as a reporter.
John Thomas Cribb of Cribb, Cotes & Potts was the agent for the Pooles and negotiated the agreement and sale.