Catherine Wynn, Salem, longtime newspaper veteran, has taken on a new role in the community, that of executive director of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Her first day was Monday, Aug. 11.
She leaves behind a long legacy in the newspaper business as a third-generation reporter, managing editor, and most recently general manager/publisher of Salem News, Phelps County Focus and Pulaski County Weekly.
Taking her place at the newsroom desk is newly appointed General Manager/Publisher Allison Skinner, a native of Pomona, Missouri, previously working under Wynn as her content manager.
“The decision to leave the newspaper was bittersweet after it being in our family for several generations,” Wynn said. “I look forward to seeing the direction Allison takes it going forward, and I know she has the heart and dedication for sharing news with our communities.”
Wynn said her 15 years at the newspaper and serving on several community boards, including the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, “have provided a foundation for me to build on as the new executive director at the chamber.”
Skinner’s newspaper career began in 2002 at the West Plains Daily Quill where she went from beat reporter to sports editor, news editor and general manager over the span of about 23 years.
“I am thankful and excited for the opportunity to continue doing a job I love, producing a great local newspaper for our community.” Skinner said. “It’s important to me to keep you informed about what is happening in the area, tell your stories, share your photos, and cover meetings and events that make this community unique. Local newspapers are a vital part of any town, but especially for a small town to keep everyone connected. I look forward to building on the quality local paper Catherine and her family created in their hometown. And I look forward to continuing to working with Catherine in a new way as she takes on her position leading the chamber.”
Wynn has been in The Salem News offices in some way for about 30 years.
“I have grown up here, my two girls have grown up here, and I got to share each workday with my dad for almost 15 years,” she said. I won’t say every day was perfect, but I will treasure those moments. My time at the newspaper has been an invaluable learning experience and one that I will cherish. The growth and challenges were taken head-on by the steadfast employees of all three of our newspapers. There are not enough words to thank each of them for their dedication.
“I don’t know how to properly say goodbye to such a large part of my life over the past 15 years,” Wynn added. “The relationships I have built, the lessons learned, and the memories made are innumerable. So, thank you to the readers, the community, and the employees.”
