Elkins native Steve Herron named publisher of The Inter-Mountain

Current Publisher Heather Goodwin Henline made the announcement. Goodwin Henline, who served as publisher since 2010, is leaving The Inter-Mountain for the publisher’s position at The Telegraph in Nashua, New Hampshire, also owned by the papers’ parent company, Ogden Newspapers.

Herron comes to Elkins after most recently serving as publisher for The Leader-Herald in Gloversville, New York, for the past three years.

“I am very excited to return to my hometown of Elkins and join the publishing team of The Inter-Mountain,” said Herron, who added, “I have many fond memories of The Inter-Mountain dating back to the days of Eldora Nuzum and Ed Kruger.”

“The Inter-Mountain has a long history of providing excellent local news, expert advertising and marketing opportunities in both print and online. I believe that my experiences, gained during my 27-year newspaper career, will help me expand the services currently offered by The Inter-Mountain. I am excited to begin working with the current staff and listening to their ideas as to how we can improve our product. In the meantime, I welcome feedback from our local residents on how we can improve as a newspaper and make a stronger contribution to the communities we serve.”

Herron started his career with Ogden Newspapers in 1990 at The Journal in Martinsburg. It has extended to five states in addition to West Virginia.

“The newspaper and the communities we serve are very fortunate to have Steve move into this leadership position,” Goodwin Henline said. “He is a consummate newspaperman, so I am confident The Inter-Mountain is in good hands and will build upon its tradition of excellence.”

Herron has been actively involved in every community during his career, including: a number of Rotary clubs, president of the Seymour, Indiana, Rotary Club, has served as a member of the board for The Boys and Girls Club; a number of Chambers of Commerce and United Way organizations; and is a former chairman of the board for the Minot, North Dakota, Area Development Corp.

Herron was the first second-generation director general of the Mountain State Forest Festival, having served in that capacity in 1989. Herron’s father, Willard, served as director general of the MSFF in 1971. Each is now a director emeritus of that organization.

“I have always believed that it is important to give back to the community,” Herron said. “This is something I learned early in life from my parents, who have been deeply involved in many civic clubs and organizations and have been active in the First United Methodist Church in Elkins. While I have enjoyed building long-lasting friendships all over the country, I have always considered Elkins as a special place, having grown up here and graduating from Davis & Elkins College.”

Goodwin Henline has been at The Inter-Mountain as publisher and general manager for more than six years, and has served at other newspapers during her 20-plus year career. During her tenure, she led The Inter-Mountain to general excellence wins for editorial and advertising through the state press association Better Newspaper Contest, garnering more than 200 nods, including Newspaper of the Year in 2014. She also has been an active advocate in the community.

“I have been blessed to call Elkins home,” Goodwin Henline said. “This is such a wonderful community full of caring and giving people. While I look forward to the opportunities that await in New Hampshire, Elkins will forever hold a special place in my heart. The friends and business relationships I’ve made over the years here will certainly last a lifetime.”

“I welcome Steve back to his hometown and wish him all the best,”Goodwin Henline added.

Herron is the son of Willard and Toni Herron of Elkins. He has one daughter, Leia, who is a facilitator at an elementary school in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The transition in leadership at The Inter-Mountain occurred with Monday’s announcement.

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