Meadows takes helm of News-Heral

Meadows takes helm of News-Herald, Connection

News-Herald

Steve Meadows has been named the new Editor & Publisher of the News-Herald and The Connection.

Meadows replaces Kevin Burcham, who is leaving to pursue other interests. Burcham will remain a resident of the Lenoir City community.
"We're thrilled to have Steve Meadows join our company. Steve is a skilled professional who brings energy and an exceptional record of experience working with daily and non-daily newspapers," said Gregg Jones, president and CEO of Jones Media Inc., the parent company of the News-Herald and The Connection.

"We went through an exhaustive search looking for a replacement for Kevin Burcham and feel extremely fortunate to have found Steve," he said. "I'm confident Steve will do an outstanding job leading the News-Herald and The Connection. Steve, along with his wife Kathy and sons Seth and Luke, will be a wonderful addition to the Loudon County community.

"I also want to take this opportunity to thank Kevin for his 15 years of service with Jones Media. Kevin has done a fine job, first in Rogersville and for the past 10 years in Loudon County," Jones said. "We wish him well and feel confident that we'll have the opportunity to work together again in the not-so-distant future."

A 25-year veteran of the newspaper industry, Meadows has won numerous Associated Press and Georgia Press Association awards in writing, design and photography. He was top editor of daily newspapers in Thomasville, Valdosta and Warner Robins, all in Georgia, before taking the helm as publisher of The Clayton (Ga.) Tribune in December 2002.

Since 2004, The Tribune has been named the best weekly newspaper in Georgia six times by the Georgia Press Association, and has twice won the top award in The Best of CNI competition conducted by The Tribune's parent company, Community Newspapers, Inc. The newspaper and its staff can boast more than 170 editorial and advertising awards during that eight-year period.

"I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to join such a vibrant community and lead two quality newspapers," Meadows said. "My goal is to improve on the fantastic work Kevin has done leading these publications. It's a lofty goal, and I obviously have some very big shoes to fill."
Meadows and his family have already relocated to Loudon County.

In addition to his newspaper background, Meadows is a longtime Rotarian, a coach in a variety of youth sports and has served positions on numerous community boards and organizations. He and Kathy have been active members of Clayton (Ga.) Baptist Church, where Steve was a deacon, choir member and Sunday school teacher, and Kathy was leader of women's ministries and in the AWANA program.

"We're looking forward to becoming a part of the community and making Loudon County our home," Meadows said. "This is a beautiful place with an exceptional quality of life, and we're ready to get plugged in and involved."

Burcham is also eager to enjoy the next chapter in his life.

"I have enjoyed the opportunity I had to work with the Jones Media Group and serve the residents of Loudon County as publisher of their hometown newspaper. I now look forward to spending more time with my family in the coming months and pursuing interests here in Loudon County," Burcham said.
"I wish Steve the best as he continues to bring the news of interest about Loudon County to its residents," he added.

The News-Herald and The Connection will host a "Meet the Publisher" event Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the newspapers' offices at 201 Simpson Road in Lenoir City. More information about the event will be published in upcoming editions of the newspapers. Meadows can be reached by telephone at 986-6581 or by e-mail at steve.meadows@news-herald.net.