Sherman-Denison, Texas — The Herald Democrat and its affiliated publications announced last Tuesday the retirement of longtime publisher John Wright. Wright has worked for 45 years in the newspaper industry with more than 41 combined years in the Texoma market. Matt Guthrie has been named acting publisher of the paper, and Nate Rodriguez will be the general manager.
“We are sad to see John go,” said Guthrie, who is also a regional vice president for Herald Democrat owner GateHouse Media. “He has been a stalwart in the Texoma Community, and he will be missed. He has meant a lot to this paper and to the industry.”
Wright began his career in the newsroom of the Denison Herald in 1970. He worked his way up in the company, eventually becoming general manger of the Las Vegas Review-Journal before returning to Texoma in 1993.
“I was raised in this area since the first grade,” Wright said.
He and his wife Mary built a life in Texoma, quite literally: Wright built his own home outside of Denison where he still lives.
“I liked the lifestyle and the easy living” of the Texoma area, Wright said.
In 1996, Wright led the merger of the Denison Herald and Sherman Democrat and was named publisher of the newly formed Herald Democrat. The move to merge the two community newspapers improved the efficiency of the papers, and the Herald Democrat continues to serve its two primary markets as well as Grayson County and the surrounding areas of Fannin and Cooke counties and Bryan County in Oklahoma.
The merger wasn’t the only change Wright saw through his nearly half-century career. There were a number of technology changes, from a press system that used hot lead to create the plates that carried ink to paper to computer pagination that is used in today’s newsrooms. Wright also watched the internet — and its role in delivering information — go from dial-up and message boards to smartphones and Wi-Fi.
He said it was the ever-changing world of media that drew him to the business.
“We start over every day,” Wright said of the fast-paced world of news. “I didn’t mind the deadlines because that forced me to do things better, faster.”
It also creates a collaborative and malleable environment.
“I never thought of a newspaper as just being news; it was an information product,” Wright said.
Wright’s last day was Thursday and he plans to spend his retirement traveling with his wife, enjoying time with his eight children and 17 grandchildren, and finishing numerous projects at his home.
Guthrie said Rodriguez’s appointment as GM is effective immediately.
“Nate will be overseeing the day-to-day operations of the newspaper,” the new acting publisher said. “I am confident he will make a positive influence in the community as well as in our operation. His enthusiasm and knowledge will not only be a boon to the Herald Democrat, but he will be an asset to the Texoma region as well.”
Rodriguez is moving to Texoma with his family and currently purchasing a home in Sherman. Guthrie is also moving to North Texas and will be based out of the Sherman office.
Nate most recently was the senior director of advertising for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which is a top 20 newspaper in the nation. He was responsible for a staff that included three managers, two supervisors, a general manager and three publishers, which supervised a staff of more than 40. During his time in Nevada he received first and second place recognition from the Nevada Press Association 2015 Innovation award. He was also a participant, chosen out of over 100 nominees, into the 2015/2016 NexGen program. The program was designed for up-and-coming news leaders by the Southern Newspapers Publisher’s Association. Before his time in Las Vegas, he had several position at the San Antonio Express-News.
“I am excited and honored for the opportunity to lead the Herald Democrat and our weekly papers here in Texoma. The Anna-Mellissa Tribune, Prosper Press and the Van Alstyne Leader, along with the Herald Democrat are truly in God’s country with the area ripe for future growth,” Rodriguez said. “I have big shoes to fill with the departure of John after 25 years, and the amazing leadership he has provided to this community and to the staff.”
Rodriguez promised a renewed digital focus.
“The community deserves a world class media outlet and I am excited to be leading this team to our mission of being first in local news and information for entire the Texoma region,” he said. “My experience leading other teams in major cities has prepared me for the challenge of the transformation of newspaper into the digital age. You will see a new and improved relationship with us in the coming weeks and months.”
Rodriguez, who has already been in the Texoma area working as a regional classified and digital director, praised the community for the reception he has received.
“I have had the opportunity to be on the ground here for the past month, and I have been thoroughly impressed with the hospitality of the community and the staff and have truly been welcomed with open arms.”