Chris Wessel Email and Phone Number

Lead a staff of 17 in the production of a seven-day 20,000 circulation daily newspaper and website in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Responsible for all administrative duties and budgeting of the news department. Administrator of the newspaper's website and social media accounts. Established publishing news stories to the web first and breaking news text alerts. Led the transition to the creation of an off-site pagination hub. Responsible for copy editing most stories, writing editorials/columns each week, and coaching and mentoring reporters and editors.

Led a staff of 17 in the production of a 16,000-circulation daily newspaper that had recently downsized to five days a week and a staff of 10 due to corporate cutbacks. Responsible for budgeting, staff development, hiring and strategic planning. Developed processes and best practices to merge our print news coverage to a continuous news desk on our website, growing unique visitors from about 25,000 monthly to more than 100,000 and page views from around 100,000 to more than 600,000 per month.

Led a staff of 16 in the production of a 4,000-circulation daily newspaper that changed to publishing twice weekly. Responsible for all administrative functions of the newspaper, including budgeting, staff development, hiring and strategic planning. Board member of the Atchison County Economic Development Council, the Benedictine College Community Development Board and founder/president of the Atchison Community July 4th Celebration.

Led a staff of 30 in the production of a 30,000-circulation daily newspaper published 365 days a year. Responsible for administrative functions, including budgeting, staff development, hiring and strategic planning. Helped lead an editorial board of 10 members. Served as a member of the company’s 10-member leader team responsible for all strategic planning for the Chronicle and six weekly newspapers. Led the convergence of a cable television station partnership into the newsroom.