After nine years of dedicated service to Southern Arizona’s communities and local journalism, Dru Sanchez is retiring as publisher of the Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun, effective Dec. 31.
Heather Mayer will take over leadership of the two publications, serving as publisher of the Green Valley News, Sahuarita Sun and Nogales International.
Sanchez’s retirement marks the close of a significant chapter for the Green Valley and Sahuarita communities. During her tenure, she has been a strong advocate for local journalism, and the role community newspapers play in keeping residents informed, supporting local businesses and telling the stories that matter most to the people who call these community’s home. “Thank you to our readers, advertisers, community leaders, organizations and friends for your support throughout my tenure. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve you.”
“Dru has made an incredible impact on the Green Valley and Sahuarita communities,” said Josh O’Connor, president and CEO of Wick Communications. “Her commitment to local journalism, her relationships throughout the community and the leadership she has provided to these publications will be felt for years to come. We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her all the best in retirement.”
Mayer brings extensive leadership experience, business development and multimedia advertising to her new role. She joined Wick Communications in 2022 and held publisher positions with the Williston Herald and Sidney Herald before relocating to Southern Arizona.
Mayer became publisher of the Nogales International earlier this year and will now expand her responsibilities to include the Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead all three of these publications and to become even more deeply connected to the communities we serve,” Mayer said. “Dru has done an incredible job building relationships, high performing teams and championing local journalism, and I have tremendous respect for what she has accomplished.”
Mayer said her focus will be on continuing to strengthen the publications’ relationships with readers, advertisers and community organizations while finding new ways to grow local journalism in a changing media environment.
The Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun have long served as important sources of local news and information for residents throughout the greater Green Valley and Sahuarita areas. The Nogales International similarly serves the Santa Cruz County region.
With Mayer now overseeing all three publications, the organization will continue its focus on delivering local journalism while supporting the businesses, organizations and communities that make Southern Arizona home.
As Sanchez begins her retirement, the staff and leadership of the Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun extend their sincere appreciation for her years of service, leadership and dedication to the communities she has served.
While a new chapter begins, the commitment remains the same: to provide strong, relevant local journalism and to be a trusted part of the communities these newspapers proudly call home.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here