National Circulation Director Hall of Fame Announces 2012 Inductee Frank Gennarelli

The Anderson-Hanna National Circulation Director Hall of Fame

When we created the National Circulation Director Hall of Fame four years ago, we had no idea just how many circulation professionals were so deserving of introduction into The Hall of Fame. Below you will see the names that were submitted by our readers in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

The Hall of Fame was created to honor the greats in our circulation profession. We set a high level of standards, consider only the best, those that were inspiring, inventive and giving of themselves back to the industry. We wanted the inductees to not only have long distinguished careers, but also to be respected by their peers while being more than on the cutting edge of the circulation newspaper industry, but actually creating the edge for others to follow.

We named the award for Ron Anderson and Phil Hanna to establish just the type of professionals we were looking for future inductees. Ron and Phil have been and continue to be, experts in the circulation industry that to this day are willing to help fellow circulation professionals.

Since creating The Hall of Fame practically every month we’ve received emails with comments and suggestions from our readers letting us know who they think should be included in this prestigious Hall. The recommendations from our readers included: Frank Mastromarino, Frank Gennarelli,  Don Michel, Doug Davis, Tommy Knowles, H.W. Stuart, Carl McCarter, Tony Delmonico, Sam Ogle, Don Messick, Doug Davis, Frank Hutchinson, Chuck Sullins, Jack Butcher, Faires  Kuykendall, Charles Gallagher, Don Ragsdale, Vadis Wylds, Booker Izell, Mark Henschen and Dave Thomas.

In 2009 we added two top circulation minds of this decade in Joe Forsee and Bill Jardine. In 2010 Ken Jefferson, Ray Mack, Cy Favor and Rich Randles.

Last year, we added four highly respected circulation professionals in John Murray, Fred Foutz, Bill Hertter and the late Harold Schwartz. Murray and Foutz are still very active in the newspaper industry. Murray is with NAA and Foutz is with GateHouse Media. Hertter retired as Director of Circulation from The Pantagraph, Bloomington IL in 2007. Schwartz was the VP Circulation, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, and ICMA president –1979-80. He passed away in 2005.

We would again ask that as we move forward into 2012 that our readers send us who they think is deserving of the honor of entry into the Circulation Director Hall of Fame.

It is with great pride that we announce our

2012 Hall of Fame Inductee

  Frank Gennarelli

Frank Gennarelli, had a long and very successful career of over 46 years in the newspaper industry. He began his career at the Binghamton Press Company in 1953, where he held a variety of management and leadership positions. Then in 1973, he was promoted to Circulation Director. In 1982, he assisted in the roll-out of USA Today.

Gennarelli joined the Eagle-Tribune, N Andover, MA in December 1986 as Circulation Director and later was appointed Publisher of The Haverhill Gazette by The Eagle-Tribune Publishing Co, before retiring in 1999.

Gennarelli was a past President of the NYSCMA and on the Board of Directors for ICMA for eight years, representing both NEACE and NYSCMA. Frank was the recipient of many awards for his dedicated service including the 1985 NYSCMA "J. Truman Kahler Award" for meritorious service to his family, newspaper and community; 1991 awarded the "ICMA President's Award"; 1998 Executive of the Year by NEACE (one of only eight to receive that award in the 81 years of the association) and elected to the 1998-1999 "Who's Who" for contributions to the newspaper industry. Sadly Gennarelli passed away last year.

Ron Anderson had this to say about Gennarelli:  “I knew Frank Gennarelli since we first worked together in early 1965. That's 46 years! I was transferred by Gannett from Danville, IL to Binghamton, NY, as the new Circulation Manager of The Press. Frank was a DM there at the time. He had recently helped put in the home counselor system there, and as a result, he was no longer needed as a DM. I saw great promise in him, and made him the Transportation Manager and Assistant City Circulation Manager. He excelled in both roles! He also be came a very close friend. I left Binghamton in 1969 to return to the Rochester newspapers. Frank was soon named the City CM there, and eventually the Circulation Director.

In the late 1980s, I was a circulation consultant. One of my clients was The Eagle-Tribune, Lawrence, MA. They needed a new Circulation Director and Frank needed a new position. I easily got those two parties together, and Frank moved to New England. He was an excellent CD there for many years, and prior to his retirement, he was named the publisher of the Haverhill, Gazette, which his company owned.

Frank did an awful lot for the circulation profession in New York State. He spearheaded two successful efforts with our state legislature. One made it lawful for girls to be youth carriers, the second one secured the moving of the legal starting time for AM youth carriers from 6AM to 5AM. When Frank took charge of a project, it always got done right!

He also was instrumental in New England in getting the newsboy statue in Great Barrington, MA restored and promoted.

He was the ultimate newspaper professional, a marvelous leader and innovator, and a truly great friend. I miss him!”

LEARNing More Circulation Idea Service is a circulation and marketing trade publication based in Killen, Alabama that has been helping newspaper and circulation professionals for over 50 years. LMCIS is published monthly with subscribers worldwide. LMCIS is also an industry leader in training and development material. Visit them online at www.circulationidea.com.