Joanna Ross will retire Friday as publisher of the Comox Valley Record, although she’s not going anywhere.
“As part of her longer-term plan, she will immediately assume the new part-time position of new business development at the Record,” says Mark Warner, president of Black Press Vancouver Island.
“Jo has been an integral part of the Record for 20 years, first as advertising manager and for the past three years as publisher,” Warner adds. “She was born and raised in the Comox Valley and is very active in the community.
“She has two grown children, Rob and Andria, and two grandchildren. I’m very pleased that she will continue to be part of our valued team in the Comox Valley.”
Assuming the position of publisher at the Record will be Zena Williams, former publisher of the Campbell River Mirror.
Williams has been with Black Press for over 20 years, starting at The Morning Star in Vernon in classifieds and then in creative. In 1995, she moved to Campbell River as an advertising consultant, then sales manager, and became publisher in 2006.
“She is deeply connected to her community through involvement in the Chamber of Commerce and in being an active participant in many events and fundraisers,” Warner notes. “She loves walking the Canyon View Trail as well as bike riding in many parts of the world with her friends.”
Williams began work at the Record on Monday.
Taking Zena’s place as publisher in Campbell River is Dave Hamilton, former Black Press publisher of The Free Press in Fernie.
Hamilton started his career with Black Press in 2007 as advertising consultant with the Comox Valley Record before moving to Fernie in 2010.
Dave began work as publisher in Campbell River on June 17.