Southern welcomes Bissell, Graham as publishers; all publishers now women

Texas-based Southern Newspapers named two new publishers in recent weeks — one in Kerrville and another in Paris. In doing so, the company changed its face in more ways than one.

When Shelly Bissell and Kelsey Graham interviewed for the publisher roles, little did they know the talent and leadership they brought would literally change the legacy of Southern Newspapers.

With their appointments, all 10 of the company's newspaper publishers are now women. Interestingly, Southern Newspapers is also led by owner Lissa Walls Cribb, a member of one of the newspaper industry's storied families.

Yvonne Mintz, publisher of the Brazoria County Facts and vice president of content for Southern Newspapers, reflected on the changing role of women in leadership in a recent column honoring the passing of Jeanne Gibson, more popularly known as “Rosie the Riveter.”

“Only a couple of short generations ago, it would be unheard of for a woman to lead a business. They couldn't even get credit without a husband's or father's approval,” Mintz said.

But, as Mintz also wrote, such moments are well earned.

“Public opinion about women in leadership has shifted, certainly, and I have been blessed with supportive male and female mentors, but as a culture, we still have a ways to go before true equity in opportunity and pay and workplaces free of sexual harassment are the norm.”

Bissel and Graham arrived in the publisher's chair from two very different paths — one as a talented revenue producer and the other as a highly engaged business manager with roots in the advertising department. In the end, both earned the opportunity through passion, skill and a desire to lead their community newspapers with everything they can muster.

Bissel comes to the Kerrville Daily Times from the Laramie Boomerang in Wyoming, where she served as general manager. Since selling her first classified advertisement — “a few years ago,” she likes to say — she has been bitten by the newspaper bug. Her career has spanned multiple states, leaving behind a record of revenue success and highly engaged leadership.

Graham, an internal candidate, began at The Paris News as an advertising assistant before developing into a top-performing business manager. With deep roots in the community, her passion for both the newspaper and the people it serves runs deep. She knows — quite literally — every inch of the operation.

Both Bissel and Graham assume leadership of their newspapers during a period of significant change and tremendous opportunity. No one who knows them doubts their ability to leave a lasting mark on Kerrville and Paris.

And along the way, they also helped make history at Southern Newspapers.