Members approve slate of officers during annual NNA meeting

Brett Wesner, president of Wesner Publications in Cordell, Oklahoma and is publisher of the Bristow News, was elected chair of the National Newspaper Association during the association’s 134th annual meeting. He had been treasurer.Wesner publishes 15 titles in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. A native Oklahoman, Wesner served as press secretary to the chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee before starting his company in 1988."As we enter this exciting new period, when the NNA Foundation will take over many of the wonderful programs NNA itself has normally managed, our board will be laser-focused on government affairs,” Wesner said. “As the only newspaper group representing community journalism with a full-time public affairs staff in Washington, our responsibilities have never been greater, but with the talent and energy of this new board of directors, I know we’re up to the challenge. Winning in Congress is not a guarantee, but you can’t win if you’re not heard. I can assure the members of this association we will be heard.”Wesner succeeds Matt Adelman, publisher of the Douglas (Wyoming) Budget, who became immediate past president and will serve on the ex-officio board, as well as lead the National Newspaper Association Foundation as president.

The National Newspaper Association represents 1,600 plus community newspapers across the United States.