WEHCO's Lea elected to industry group's top post
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arkansan Nat Lea has been elected president of America's Newspapers, a leading national organization that advocates for the industry and shares best practices to enhance newspaper growth in the U.S.
Lea is president and chief executive officer of WEHCO Media, parent company of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the News-Times.
"This is the principal place that we go and share information and learn from other publishers and managers," Lea said Wednesday of the services provided by the national organization. "That component of idea exchanges and best-practices information is what's incredibly important to WEHCO Media. That's why it makes sense to be involved in this organization."
America's Newspapers was formed two years ago through the combination of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association and the Inland Press Association. The organization's primary efforts promote advocacy, marketing, membership, programming and education for the newspaper industry.
Lea succeeds Alan Fisco, president and chief financial officer of the Seattle Times Co., who will continue to serve the group as immediate past president.
Beyond the core mission, the organization will focus on "finding a sustainable business model for newspapers in a very dynamic and changing market," Lea said.
Lea has served as president and CEO of WEHCO since 2016 and has held several key leadership roles since joining the company is 2002. He has served as president and general manager of the Democrat-Gazette, general manager of cable operations in Pine Bluff and general manager of the El Dorado News-Times and The Sentinel-Record in Hot Springs.
America's Newspapers has more than 1,600 newspaper members, and all employees of the papers are eligible to participate in programming and education conducted by the organization.
Maranatha Baptist Christian School receives accreditation
Special to the News-Times
Maranatha Baptist Christian School recently received its updated Certificate of Accreditation from the Southern Plains Association of Christian Schools.
Southern Plains Association of Christian Schools (SPACS) is a nonprofit regional accrediting agency designed to evaluate private, non-public schools for grades K3-12. They serve Christian schools in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.
"We are very pleased to continue full accreditation status through SPACS," said Bro. Bob Weido, principal at Maranatha Baptist Christian School. "Our students and faculty work diligently throughout the year to maintain the highest standards of Christian education, and we are honored to receive recognition for our efforts."
Maranatha Baptist Christian School is a ministry of Bible Baptist Church. It provides college-preparatory education for grades K4-12 in a nurturing and Christian environment.
For more information, call 870-546-3577.
