ONMA Circulation Associate Members
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History

The Ohio Circulation Managers Association was founded in 1917. With a suggestion from Edward Gans, associated with Editor and Publisher in New York, J. T. Kavanaugh of the Dayton News called a meeting for October 30, 1917, in Columbus, Ohio, to discuss the problems of newspaper circulation.

At that meeting, the Ohio Circulation Managers Association was organized with J. T. Kavanaugh being elected as president. Clem O’Rourke of the Dayton Journal-Herald was appointed to be responsible for entertainment. The first membership meeting was held April 2, 1918, at the Miami Hotel in Dayton, Ohio. Thirty newspapers were represented at the meeting.

Some of those in attendance at the first meeting were: Edward Gans, Editor and Publisher; J. T. Kavanaugh, Dayton News; Leslie Sauers, Zanesville Signal; P.W. Stiles, Middletown Journal; J. J. Quillan, Canton Repository; C. S. Wilson, Columbus Dispatch; B. J. Ullman, Youngstown Vindicator; E. L. Cohan, Cincinnati Commercial Tribune; C. D. O’Rourke, Dayton Journal-Herald; Ben Miles, Lima Republican Gazette; Stephen Weber, Hamilton Journal; W. L. West, Lima News; R. F. Hedges, Sidney Journal; J. C. Woods, Marion Star; H. L. Laudes, Springfield Sun; Victor Adler, Springfield News; W. J. Galvin, Wilmington News; H. S. Seymour, Akron Beacon Journal; A. J. Lisbon, Journal; and Herman Denman, Coshocton Tribune.

Over the years, OCMA strengthened its membership to the point where most Ohio newspapers had at least one circulation executive as a member of the association. Many newspapers had multiple members participating. In addition to the regular membership, many newspaper-related suppliers joined as Associate Members.

A number of members acted as Secretary Treasurer since that first meeting. Those most recently doing so include the following: Worthy Gee, The Columbus Dispatch, 1967-1971; Norman Rathke, The Toledo Blade, 1972-1983; Walter Santel, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1984-1988; Fred Weber II, Athens Messenger, 1988-1994; Bill Bockwich, The Plain Dealer, 1995-2001; Brian Barker, 2001-2011; and Carol Huddleston, 2011-2013.

The first woman to be elected to the Board of Directors was Leslie Counts, Lorain Journal. Leslie was later elected as the first woman president of OCMA in 1988. In 1978, to add continuity to the Board of Directors, the by-laws were amended to include two past presidents on the board for two-year staggered terms. In 1982, OCMA was incorporated as a Tennessee Corporation. King, Bellow and Little (Mike Zinser) served as counsel. More recently in OCMA’s history, Zinser and Patterson served as legal counsel.

The Glenn L. Cox Carrier Achievement Awards program was established in 1952 to honor youth newspaper carriers throughout Ohio. Over the years a number of changes have been made to enhance the program. The program now recognizes carriers in three different age-related categories, which are Youth, Adult and Senior. An award program is held annually with the award presented at the fall circulation conference. The award was named for the founder of the program, Glenn L. Cox, former circulation director of the Dayton Daily News.

In 1982, the Board of Directors established the OCMA Presidential Award. OCMA members in good standing who have made a considerable contribution to the success and betterment of the association or who have made an outstanding contribution to the circulation profession may be nominated for the award. The selection committee is chaired by the immediate past president. The award is presented once in a calendar year, not necessarily annually. To date, nineteen individuals have received the award.

OCMA, in recent years, had established a variety of training programs for its members. Most popular programs were in the area of district manager training, customer service training and legal training conducted by Mike Zinser. The association was recognized to be a leader in the training area as well as one of the stronger circulation associations in the country in general.

The Ohio News Media Association continues key activities of the OCMA with the ONMA Circulation Managers Committee advising the Professional Development Committee on training.

In addition, most of the OCMA’s other activities are now part of the programming of the Ohio News Media Foundation, a 501(c)3, non-profit organization.

Presidents and Conferences

Circulation Presidents and Conferences

*Indicates the individual is deceased

1973

• Walter Santel, The Cincinnati Enquirer (president)
• Conferences: May 6-9, Netherlands Hilton, Cincinnati; Oct. 14-16, Sheraton Columbus, Columbus

1974

• Robert Stenger*, The Plain Dealer (president)
• Conferences: April 28-30, Cleveland Plaza, Cleveland; Oct. 6-8, Sheraton Westgate, Toledo

1975

• Robert Spitnale, Dayton Journal Herald (president)
• Conferences: May 4-6, Salt Fork, Cambridge; Oct. 19-21, Sheraton Columbus, Columbus

1976

• Bill Aylward, The Akron Beacon Journal (president)
• Conferences: May 2-4, Sawmill Creek, Huron; Oct. 10-12, Cascade Holiday Inn, Akron

1977

• Don Davis*, Cambridge Jeffersonian (president)
• Conferences: May 1-3, Marriott Inn, Columbus; Oct. 2-4, Atwood Lake Lodge, Dellroy

1978

• Robert Hedrick, The Middletown Journal (president)
• Conferences: April 30-May 2, Kings Island Inn, Mason; Oct. 8-10, Neil House, Columbus

1979

• Charles O’Reilly*, Dayton Newspapers (president)
• Conferences: May 6-8, Stouffer’s, Dayton; Oct. 7-8, Holiday Inn, Perrysburg

1980

• Robert Ruck*, The Plain Dealer (president)
• Conferences: April 27-29, Stouffer’s, Cincinnati; Oct. 19-21, Hollenden House, Cleveland

1981

• John Cain, The Findlay Courier (president)
• Conferences: May 10-12, Sawmill Creek, Huron; Oct. 11-13, Salt Fork, Cambridge

1982

• Terry L. DeVassie, The Columbus Dispatch (president)
• Conferences: May 2-4, Kings Island Inn, Mason; Oct. 10-12, Hyatt Regency, Columbus

1983

• George E. Coffield, Sidney Daily News (president)
• Conferences: May 1-3, Quaker Square Hilton, Akron; Oct. 2-4, Hueston Woods Lodge, Oxford

1984

• Richard Hartle, Dayton Newspapers (president)
• Conferences: May 6-8, Ramada Aqua Marine, Avon; Oct. 7-9, Marriott Inn, Dayton

1985

• Tim Lanahan, Troy Daily News (president)
• Conferences: May 5-7, Sheraton Westgate, Toledo; Oct. 6-8, Netherlands Plaza, Cincinnati

1986

• Robert Thrasher, The Plain Dealer (president)
• Conferences: May 4-6, Salt Fork, Cambridge; Oct. 5-7, Hilton South, Cleveland

1987

• Mitchell Zwolski*, Dayton Newspapers (president)
• Conferences: May 3-5, Sawmill Creek, Huron; Oct. 4-6, Marriott Inn, Dayton

1988

• Leslie Counts, Lorain Journal (president)
• Conferences: May 8-10, Stouffer’s, Dublin; Oct. 2-4, Holiday Inn, Westlake

1989

• Merwyn Conn*, Wooster Record (president)
• Conferences: May 7-9, New Market Hilton, Canton; Oct. 1-3, Marriott Portside, Toledo

1990

• Bill Bockwich, The Plain Dealer (president)
• Conferences: May 6-8, Hamiltonian, Hamilton; Oct. 7-9, Stouffer Tower City Plaza, Cleveland

1991

• Mark Ryan, Defiance Crescent News (president)
• Conferences: May 5-7, Raddison Harbour Inn, Sandusky; Oct. 6-8, Clarion Hotel, Cincinnati

1992

• Joe Ripberger, The Cincinnati Enquirer (president)
• Conferences: May 3-6, Crowne Plaza Holiday Inn, Columbus; Oct. 4-6, Hilton Inn at Quaker Square, Akron

1993

• William Herzig*, The Toledo Blade (president)
• Conferences: May 2-4, Stouffer Central Plaza, Dayton; Oct. 3-5, Avalon Inn Resort, Warren

1994

• Michael Gorsich, Massillon Independent (president)
• Conferences: May 1-3, Hyatt on Capital Square, Columbus; Oct. 2-4, Airport Marriott, Cleveland

1995

• David Hoskin, The Plain Dealer (president)
• Conferences: May 7-9, Salt Fork, Cambridge; Oct. 1-3, Maumee Bay Resort, Toledo

1996

• Mark Keller, Bryan Times (president)
• Conferences: May 6-8, Mohican State Park, Mansfield; Oct. 6-8, Crowne Plaza, Cincinnati

1997

• Dick Fuller, Cox Ohio Publishing (president)
• Conferences: May 4-6, Sheraton Suites, Cuyahoga Falls; Oct. 5-7, Holiday Inn, Fairborn

1998

• Sam Ronicker, Springfield News-Sun (president)
• Conferences: May 3-5, Holiday Inn, Lima; Oct. 4-6, Deer Creek State Lodge, Mt. Sterling

1999

• Herb Baur, The Columbus Dispatch (president)
• Conferences: May 2-4, Sawmill Creek, Huron; Oct. 3-5, Marriott North, Columbus

2000

• Bill O’Malley, The Plain Dealer (president)
• Conferences: May 7-9, Cox Print Technology Center, Dayton; Oct. 1-3, Raddison Hotel, Toledo

2001

• Jim Nelson, Newark Advocate (president)
• Conference: Due to the 9/11 tragedy, a circulation conference was not held in 2001.

2002

• Kim McGinnis, The Courier (president)
• Conference: Oct. 6-8, Cleveland Marriott Airport, Cleveland

2003

• Mike Gaither, The Toledo Blade (president)
• Conference: Oct. 5-7, Hilton Netherland Plaza, Cincinnati

2004

• Jim DeLuca, The Akron Beacon Journal (president)
• Conference: Oct. 3-5, Sheraton Suites, Cuyahoga Falls

2005

• Valecia Quinn, The Cincinnati Enquirer (president)
• Conference: Oct. 2-4, McKinley Grand Marriott, Canton

2006

• Rob Jenney, The Findlay Courier (president)
• Conference: Oct. 1-3, The Findlay Inn, Findlay

2007

• Bill Stille, The Columbus Dispatch (president)
• Conference: Oct. 6-8, Drury Inn and Suites, Columbus

2008

• Brian Barker, The Plain Dealer (president)
• Conference: Oct. 5-6, Marriott Inn, Dayton

2009

• Brian Barker, The Plain Dealer (president)
• Conference: Oct. 3-4, Hilton Garden Inn, Toledo

2010

• Dan Lias, The Akron Beacon Journal
• Conference: Oct. 2-3, Sheraton Suites, Cuyahoga Falls

2011

• Rick Aniol, The Columbus Dispatch (president)
• Conference: Oct. 2-3, Renaissance Hotel, Columbus

2012

• Mike Stevens, Cox Ohio Publishing (president)
• Conference: Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Marriott Inn, Dayton

2013

• Jeff Cole, The Toledo Blade (president)
• Conference: Oct. 6-7, Hilton Garden Inn, Toledo-Perrysburg

2014

• Conference: September 28-29, Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center, Kent

2015

• Conference: September 27-28, DoubleTree Hotel, Columbus

2016

• Conference: October 2-3, Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center, Columbus

Mega Summit East

The second annual Mega Summit East was held Sept. 22 to 24 in Pittsburgh.

 

2016 Circulation Conference Archives

Thank you to everyone who attended this year's circulation conference. Access the links below to download presentations, photos, programs and more information from the conference.

• Download conference presentations
• Conference photos (the password to download the photos is ONA1640)
• Carrier of the year winners
• Conference Program
• ONA Hot Promotional Ideas Booklet

2015 Ohio Circulation Conference Highlights

The 2015 Ohio Circulation Conference was a success! Thank you to everyone who attended, especially our speakers and vendors.

For photos of the conference, you can go to the ONA's Flickr account by clicking here. 

You can also see presentations made at the conference by clicking on the links below:

• Targeted Digital Marketing to Grow Audience Activations and Engagement - Belinda Lush
• Awaken the Force at Your Paper - John Newby
• How Albuquerque Journal Phased Out Its News Racks - Joe Leong
• The ABCs of AAM New Rules and Reporting- Sandi Licking
• Legal Update - Michael Zinser
• The Blade Growing Sunday Print Circulation in 2015
• Panel Discussion on the Next Generation of Subscription Programs - Jonas Rideout
• 30 Hot Ideas in 60 Minutes
• Driving Revenue and Audience Development Through Centralization and Strategic Partnerships - Paul Felicissimo
• Building Audience & Revenue and Benchmarking the Progress- John Murray
• Use The Force to defend your existing subscriber base and grow your audience- Paul Mrozinski

Click here to check out past Circulation Conferences.

Training

For information on general training opportunities provided through the Ohio News Media Association, see ONMA’s Training Calendar.

2016 Circulation Training Sessions

Front-Line Management Training for District Managers

Transforming the District Manager's Role for Success

The district managers training on Thursday, April, 28, 2016 at OU - Pickerington Center was a great success!  There were 36 participants who attended a day-long training session focusing on independent contractors with Mike Zinser; tips on succession planning from Nick Monico, Civitas Media; distribution networks with Dave Johnson, Akron Beacon Journal; managing key metrics with Greg Meyers, The Crescent News, Defiance; and driving single copy sales with Jeff Lawson, Gannett Publishing.

A special thank you to the lunch sponsors.  We appreciate your support of the circulation managers!

Downloadable training presentations (PDF format)

Mike Zinser, The Zinser Law Firm
Nick Monico, Civitas Media LLC
Greg Meyers, The Crescent News, Defiance
Jeff Lawson, Gannett Publishing Services

 

 Mike Zinser with Lisa Yaratch, Record Courier, Kent, participating in Judge Mike's session testing her on Ohio laws and recent court rulings.

 

 

 

 

    Mike Zinser discussing the many aspects of managing      
    independent contractors at the April 28 district managers
    training.

 

 

 

 

 

  

2015 Retail Revenue & Sales Strategies

The ONA Circulation managers held a successful and informative Retail Revenue & Sales Strategies at Ohio University - Pickerington Center on August 5, 2015. 

• Read more about the training and see photographs.

Here are the downloadable training presentation (PDF format)

• John Murray of The Newspaper Association Of America (NAA)
• Joann Larkee with Gannett in Ft. Myers Florida
• Valecia Quinn with Gannett (Ohio and Kentucky)
• Steve Edwards with the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Cox Media
• Dick Fuller with The Toledo Blade

 

2014 Ohio Circulation District Manager Training Seminar

The 2014 Ohio Circulation District Manager training seminar was held on Wednesday, April 23 in Pickerington.

• Rick Hively’s Presentation
• Michael Zinser’s Presentation

 

 

Outstanding Carriers

The Carrier of the Year Achievement Awards Program was established in 1952 to honor youth newspaper carriers throughout Ohio. Over the years, a number of changes have been made to enhance the program that is now known as the Ohio Newspaper Carrier of the Year Award. The program and annual awards banquet were originally named for the founder, Glenn L. Cox, former Circulation Manager of the Dayton Daily News.

About the Awards

Winners receive a cash award of $1000 and an award statue. Runners-ups receive a cash award and a plaque.

The selection process is based on a point system, which includes:

• Route management: including CPM, increase of customer base, level of service
• Personal, scholastic and community service
• Supporting documents: such as letters of recommendation, photo, DM letter, other documents

2021 winners

To see the 2021 Carrier of the Year winners, go here.

2020 winners

To see the 2020 Carrier of the Year winners, go here.

2019 winners

The 2019 Carrier of the Year Awards were presented at the ONMA Convention, which was held February 6-7, 2020, at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel.

Mandy Windle, The Athens Messenger
(Under 10K Circulation)
Mandy Windle is a 38 year old housewife and mother of two. She currently delivers two motor routes serving 305 customers and a store bundle route for the Athens Messenger. When Mandy is not delivering papers for the Messenger she enjoys spending time with her children who are very active in sports and 4-H.

Colleen Miller, The Lima News
(10-25K Circulation)
Colleen Miller delivers The Lima News to around 250 customers and her customers praise her for not only placing their newspaper where it is easy for them to reach, but also being a friendly face that looks out for them. “Colleen just doesn’t deliver the paper, she makes a connection,” says Tina Bowers, who has been subscribing to The Lima News for 68 years. Colleen simply says, “I just treat people the way I would want them to treat me.”

Joe Szyperski, The Press Newspapers
(Over 25K Circulation)
Joe Szyperski has delivered The Press Newspaper in six different decades for an astounding total of 43 years. He started when he was a young boy and has stuck with it ever since. He has always taken great pride in never missing a week and getting his 340 papers delivered the right way, regardless of the weather, or his own personal adversities. He’s continued to accomplish this high level of delivery over the last seven years despite being on daily chemo treatments after he was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. It’s so rare to find someone that delivers through such adversity and someone who takes such pride in completing the job. In his free time Joe enjoys tending to his garden and volunteering at St. Jerome Church. He has worked in the landscaping industry most of his life and as a wrestling coach in the Toledo area for the last 39 years.

2019 Carrier of the Year Runner-ups

Justin Brown, The Times-Gazette
(Under 10K Circulation)
Justin Brown has been a motor route carrier for nearly 10 years. Currently, Justin delivers approx 220 papers to home subscribers and he also drops papers to several nursing homes in the Ashland area.

Kage Moss, The Marysville Journal Tribune
(10-25K Circulation)
Kage Moss has been a newspaper carrier for 5 1/2 years and has 92 customers. Kage is in the 8th grade at Bunsold Middle School and serves on the student counsel.

Zuhirah Uqdah, The Dayton Daily News
(Over 25K Circulation)
Zuhirah Uqdah has been a carrier for over twelve years with three routes in the Kettering, Centerville and Washington township areas. She delivers over 10,000 newspapers a month. She is the mother of seven adult children, fourteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

2018 winners

The 2018 Carrier of the Year Awards were presented at the ONMA Convention, which was held February 7-8, 2019, at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel.

Youth Winner: Willona Schreck from the Sandusky Register

In her application, Willona was asked to describe ways she helps her subscribers and she replied: "Some of my customers like to talk to me and give me hugs, so engage in conversation and give them hugs too."

Adult Winner: Darrell Tucker from the Wilmington News Journal

Darrell's manager Dawn Gunkle says Darrell arrives for his route every single day at 3 am without ever making a single complaint. ONMA received over 40 letters from Darrell's subscribers recommending Darrell for this year's Carrier of the Year and in those letters provided fantastic testimonials of how Darrell goes above and beyond every single day.

Senior Winner: Jerry Harple from the Sandusky Register

When asked why do you like being a carrier, Jerry replied he enjoys being a carrier because he has made so many new friendships over the years and feels the work is not stressful at all. Jerry and his wife do wellness checks on customers if consecutive papers begin to pile up for some of the elderly customers. Jerry takes pride in top notch customer service to the subscribers he serves.

2017 Winners

The 2017 Carrier of the Year Awards were presented at the 2018 ONMA Convention, which was held February 7 & 8 at the Columbus Hilton/Polaris.

Riley Borgerding
Marysville Journal-Tribune
Marysville, OH
2017 Youth Carrier of the Year

In the short time that Riley Bordgerding has been delivering the Journal-Tribune, she has made a large impression with her customers. Each and every day Riley delivers she goes above and beyond to make sure her 93 customers are well taken care of.

‘Reece’-ently, Riley stuffed the Thanksgiving edition with a 2 pack of Reece’s cups to show her appreciation for her customers. Not only did the subscribers appreciate the extra mile that Riley went, so did the Journal-Tribune with a front page story.

Cheryl Welty, Riley’s manager, says “Riley takes the extra effort to correspond with each customer” and “all of her efforts have been rewarded by the customers with a large amounts of tips”.

Julie Held
The Blade
Toledo, OH
2017 Adult Carrier of the Year

Our adult Carrier of the Year winner, Julie Held, has found that “a clean and dry newspaper delivered at a predictable time and place, is the key to keeping the subscribers happy.” With an attitude like Julie’s it goes to show that the doing little things and going the extra mile can make a lasting impact. As her DM, Bob Borer, has the honor and privilege to work with her during her 19 years delivering The Blade.

As a carrier, Julie finds it “ridiculous” to be able to get paid and do what she loves, driving the NW Ohio roads at night and listing to talk radio. Julie’s 230+ subscribers appreciate what she loves to do and the service that she provides them.

Freda Edwards
Wilmington News-Journal
Wilmington, OH
2017 Senior Carrier of the Year

One word can be used to describe the Senior Carrier of the Year award winner Freda Edwards, DEDICATED. For the past 40 years, Freda has been delivering newspapers for the News-Journal. In Wilmington. During her carrier, Freda has never missed a delivery day which includes working through illness’ and the dark days when her husband passed away. Freda explains her willingness to work, “you have a job to do and no one is going to do it for you, so you keep on going”. This mentality makes her a favorite amongst her fellow carriers and the staff of the News-Journal.

When Freda is not delivering to her 180+ subscribers, she spends her time baking cookies and other baked goods for her friends and the patients at the local nursing home she visits frequently. Freda’s manager, Dawn Gunkel says, “Freda is one of the kindest people that I know, and I believe if we had more people like her, the world would be a much better place”.

Past Carrier of the Year Award Winners

• 2016 Winners: Youth Winner (up to 18 years of age) was Jacob McNulty, Sentinel-Tribune, Bowling Green; Adult winner (age 19-54) was Levi Rausch, The Courier, Findlay; Senior Winner (age 56-over) was Homer McIntyre, Sentinel-Tribune, Bowling Green
• 2015 Winners: Youth Winner (up to 18 years of age) was Cody Mason, The Courier, Findlay; Senior Winner (age 55 and over) was Rosemary "Tobi" Cowles, The Blade, Toledo; Adult Winner (age 19-54) was Malysa Bell, The Blade, Toledo
• 2014 Winners: Trey Newell, The Courier, Findlay (Youth Winner); Levi Rausch, The Courier, Findlay (Adult Winner); Wanda Phillips, The Courier, Findlay (Senior Winner)
• 2013 Winners: Chance Sonnenberg, The Courier, Findlay (Youth Winner); Ed Rouston, The Courier, Findlay (Adult Winner); Otis Maynard, The Telegram News (Senior Winner) 
• 2012 Winners
• 2011 Winners
• 2010 Winners
• 2009 Winners
• 2008 Winners
• 2007 Winners

 

President's Award

The President’s Award was established to recognize a member, past or present, active or retired, for outstanding contributions to the circulation profession. The award is not presented annually, only when there is a deserving recipient.

Past Winners

• 1983: William B. Aylward*, Akron Beacon Journal
• 1984: Norman C. Rathke*, Toledo Blade
• 1985: Robert Ruck*, The Plain Dealer
• 1986: Terry L. DeVassie*, Columbus Dispatch
• 1987: Walter T. Santel*, Cincinnati Enquirer
• 1988: Fred Weber*, Athens Messenger; Fred Weber II*, Athens Messenger
• 1989: Thomas B. Sherrill, Columbus Dispatch
• 1990: A. Robert Oehler*, Cincinnati Enquirer
• 1992: John Cain*, Findlay Courier
• 1993: L. Michael Zinser, Zinser & Patterson
• 1997: Harry J. Clarke, Harry J. Clarke, ISA
• 1999: Bill Bockwich*, The Plain Dealer
• 2000: Kurt P. Kah, Findlay Publishing Co.
• 2002: Herb Baur*, Columbus Dispatch
• 2006: Michael Gorsich*, The Times Reporter
• 2008: Frank Deaner, Ohio Newspaper Association
• 2009: Dick Fuller*, Toledo Blade
• 2013: Kim Wilhelm*, The Courier
• 2014: Valecia Quinn*, The Cincinnati Enquirer and the Chillicothe Gazette
• 2015: Jeff Cole*, Toledo Blade
• 2016: Jim Smith, Steel City Corp.
• 2021: Sue Bazzoli, Ohio News Media Association

*Past President of the former Ohio Circulation Managers Association