Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association celebrates 100 years of supporting Pennsylvania journalism

The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association hosted current and former news media leaders at a celebration of its 100^th anniversary year. The event, held Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Hershey Country Club, brought industry executives, emerging leaders and other luminaries together to reflect on the past while embracing the future of journalism.

Festivities began at 4:30 p.m. with an exclusive VIP reception for PNA Hall of Fame members and 2025 inductees, followed by the main reception at 5:30 p.m. A silent auction and 50/50 raffle was open to attendees with all proceeds benefiting the PNA Foundation. The auction and raffle raised $10,000.

Nancy Lane, keynote speaker

Nancy Lane, CEO emeritus of Local Media Association and Local Media Foundation, was the evening’s keynote speaker. She spoke about her early days as a publisher at Pennsylvania newspapers, the challenges faced by the press today and the seven pillars of journalism sustainability.

Five awards, including three inaugural honors, were presented to individuals whose achievements reflect positively on the state’s news media industry:

• Lifetime Achievement Award – G. Ogden Nutting
• Benjamin Franklin Award for Excellence – Sharon Sorg
• News Media Industry Emerging Leader of the Year Award – Tammy Schuey (new in 2025)
• News Media Industry Executive of the Year Award – Christopher Baxter (new in 2025)
• News Media Industry Innovator of the Year Award – Brendan Ricciardi (new in 2025)

PNA also inducted 25 new members into its Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals who have provided outstanding and distinguished service to the news media industry in the Pennsylvania:

Dick Tabbachino, 2024 Hall of Fame inductee

• Ryan Bizzarro – 2024 Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Advocate of the Year
• David Boardman – Temple University Klein College of Media and Communications
• Ed Condra – Media News Group
• Mark Contreras – Calkins Media CEO Emeritus
• Ruth Eddy – The Sentinel, Lewistown
• Terry Egger – The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Brandon Eyerly – Press Enterprise, Bloomsburg
• Marta Gouger – The Times News, Lehighton
• Joe Guty – Dillsburg Banner
• Larry Holeva – Media News Group
• Nancy Lane – Local Media Association CEO Emeritus
• Tom Lisi – LNP Media Group, Inc.
• Joe Lawrence - Trib Total Media, Tarentum
• Kelly Luvison – Gettysburg Times
• Chip Minemyer – The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown
• Tom Murse – LNP Media Group, Inc.
• Joseph Piccirillo – The Ridgway Record
• Jim Sachetti – Press Enterprise, Bloomsburg
• Dan Slep – Altoona Mirror
• Joe Soprano – The Times-Leader, Wilkes-Barre
• Sharon Sorg – CNHI
• Lee Templeton – Trib Total Media, Tarentum
• Charlie Thompson – PennLive/The Patriot-News
• Robert Lee Vann – New Pittsburgh Courier
• Stan Wischnowski – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Director of Marketing Jane Hungarter and Director of Government Affairs Jan Murphy share a laugh with the Piccirillo family.

Hall of Fame inductee Joseph Piccirillo delivered a special address, reflecting on his 67 years of service in the news media industry. He currently works three days a week at The Ridgway Record.

PNA President and CEO Bill Cotter spoke to the spirit of the evening and the significance of the milestone.

“Closing our 100th anniversary celebration with such an inspiring gala was a powerful reminder of who we are as an association and what we stand for,” Cotter said. “This year allowed us to honor a century of journalism, advocacy and service, while celebrating the people who continue to lead this industry with courage and innovation.

“The energy in that room reflected not only our rich history, but also the unwavering commitment of our members to informing communities and strengthening our democracy. I am deeply grateful for the partnership and trust that have sustained PNA for a hundred years. As we look ahead, we carry forward the same passion and purpose that brought us here, ready to embrace new challenges and new opportunities together.”

About the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association:

Founded in 1925, PNA is the nonprofit trade association for print and online news media in Pennsylvania. Its mission is to advance the business interests of Pennsylvania news media organizations and to promote the importance of a free and independent press.