AMERICUS — Beth Alston has been named publisher of the Americus Times-Recorder and president of Americus Newsmedia, LLC. Alston currently serves as the editor and will retain that position.
Alston, a veteran journalist, has worked for the Times-Recorder for more than 30 years.
In making the announcement, Jeff Findley, group manager of Boone Newspapers Inc., said of Alston, “I am excited that Beth has accepted this position. She truly loves the Americus community and this newspaper. She has earned the right to lead our team in Americus and will continue to provide the community with an excellent news and advertising product.”
Former publisher, William Hand, will remain with the Times-Recorder and work in a transition period before returning to Bainbridge to pursue other opportunities.
A native of Parrott, Ga., Alston received a bachelor of arts in English in 1977, from Georgia Southwestern College. Immediately after college she worked as news director of WDEC radio in Americus and held credentials with several national news organizations, and also did work for The Voice of America. Later she worked as managing editor for a time at The Plains Monitor during the Carter Administration.
Alston went into the private sector and worked in various sales positions for several companies before becoming copywriter for Metalux, an international lighting manufacturer, formerly based in Americus. She taught graphic arts and commercial art at Tri-County High School in 1984-85.
In the summer of 1985, Alston returned to the news business, hired as a reporter for the Americus Times-Recorder, by the late Rudy Hayes, editor. She found a niche in reporting and also thoroughly enjoyed writing a weekly personal column.
In August 1990, Alston transferred to the Valdosta Daily Times as city editor, where she learned the canons of newsroom leadership from former managing editor Frank Sayles and the late Bob Morrell, publisher. On Feb. 1, 1993, she returned to the Americus Times-Recorder as managing editor.
Over the course of her 30-year career, Alston has been the recipient of several Georgia Press Association awards, individually and collectively, and also led the news team to recognition from The Associated Press in 1994, for coverage of the flood that claimed 15 lives in Americus and Sumter County.
Over the years, Alston has served on various boards, but one of the most meaningful, she said, has been her continuing service on the board of the Southwest Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross, where she served one term as chairman. Alston is a member and former board member of the Kiwanis Club of Americus and of the Old Herod Chapter/National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Dawson Presbyterian Church.
Reading, writing and learning continue to be her passions. Everything from cave exploring to hot air ballooning and riding in a B-17 Flying Fortress, as well as other adventures, have afforded her great material for writing over her career.
Alston will continue the tradition of the Americus Times-Recorder, to deliver content that the readers find necessary in their lives and to continue to be the definitive source of local news in the communities it serves and to provide the best marketing vehicle for local businesses.