Pate Retires from Industry

0
41

Jack Pate launched his newspaper career as a paper boy for The Cleveland Press in Northeastern Ohio. He’ll wrap it up as president and publisher of the Evansville Courier Co. in Southwestern Indiana.

Pate announced that he will retire from the industry effective at the end of the calendar year. He has been publisher and president of the Courier Co., which encompasses the Courier & Press, the Gleaner in Henderson, the Union County (Ky.) Advocate, and Audubon Printing in Henderson, for what will be the final 12 years in an almost 35-year career.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to have served the company, our community and to have worked with so many dedicated and talented professionals over the years,” said Pate.

“It’s been fun, even when it’s been a bit of a wild ride. Debbie (wife) and I have reached a point in our lives where we can spend more time visiting family and enjoying our hobbies.”

“Jack has the rare combination of passion for journalism, business and community. He is a strong leader who will be greatly missed,” said Patricia Miller, president of Gannett Indiana.

Under Jack Pate’s tutelage, the Courier & Press received the Hoosier State Press Association’s top journalism award, the Blue Ribbon, on three occasions.

He received the HSPA Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award this year; in 2015 was named the Volunteer of the Year by the Southwest Indiana Chamber; and in 2014, was the Silver Medal Award recipient from the Greater Evansville Advertising Federation. He was selected as a torchbearer for Warrick County in the Indiana Bicentennial Celebration of 2016.

He has been active in the community, serving with the St. Mary’s Foundation, Youth Resources, USI Foundation, Evansville Arc, Evansville Regional Business Committee, Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, Southwest Indiana Chamber, Spencer County Chamber, Old National Community Bank Board, Alcoa Community Advisory Board, Superintendents Business Council, The Evansville Sports Corp., and the Buffalo Trace Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

“Jack’s fingerprints are going to be on this community for years to come,” said Bob Jones, chairman and CEO of Old National Bank.

Pate plans to remain in the Evansville area, continue his volunteerism and root for the community to continue to prosper.

He said leadership at the Courier Co. will remain in the hands of his senior management team, with Hayden as vice president of sales, Tim Ethridge as executive editor, Mike Bush as operations director, and Lori Bush & Jeff Tovissi leading circulation sales and delivery.

– Evansville Courier & Press