California Newspaper Publishers Association Names New Executive Director

Los Angeles, Calif. - The California Newspaper Publishers Association has appointed Thomas W. Newton as the new Executive Director of the 841-member non-profit trade association.

Speaking in Los Angeles at the association's annual Press Summit, CNPA president Ralph Alldredge made the announcement by saying, "The Board was unanimous in its selection of Tom to lead our organization. He brings over 20 years experience in our organization, and has distinguished himself in serving most recently as general counsel and chief legislative advocate overseeing the lobbying efforts and diverse governmental affairs agenda for CNPA."

Anthony Allegretti, who chaired the search committee that recommended Newton, stated, "Tom is the ideal candidate to succeed Jack Bates, who mentored Tom for this role by including him in virtually every important decision Jack made during his two decades of exemplary service leading CNPA."

In serving the past 15 years as the association's general counsel, Newton was CNPA's principal spokesman for the California newspaper industry, successfully pursuing legislation to comprehensively reform California's open meeting and public records laws. He is a two-time winner of the James Madison Freedom of Information Award and a winner of the Bill Farr Freedom of Information Award.

"It's a privilege and honor to be selected by the CNPA Board to serve as its next Executive Director," Newton said. "And I'm personally humbled to be chosen to follow Jack, who built CNPA into the finest state press association in the nation. I am committed to advancing CNPA's stature and reputation, growing and serving our members, building our advertising services business and ensuring our industry's interests as stewards of an independent free press are protected."

In addition to his new governance role as CNPA's Executive Director, Newton will serve as president of CNPA Services, Inc., CNPA's for-profit arm that manages the association's membership services, advocacy and lobbying efforts, and other related business activities, which include CNPA's advertising placement services for its National Preprint Network, California Banner Ad Network, and the California Statewide Classified and Display Ad Networks.

Jack Bates, outgoing Executive Director, noted that, "Tom has a solid understanding of the principles on which our association was founded, and he brings a strong commitment to serving CNPA's mission and the needs and interests of our members. His initiative and leadership skills will be an asset in this new role and I'm delighted the Board has made such an excellent choice."

An eighth generation Californian, Newton is a graduate of McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and received his bachelors of arts degree from California State University, Chico. He and his spouse, Janice Ann Newton, reside in the Sacramento area with their two children, Kyler Powell, 18, and Katharine Rae, 16.