Creston News Advertiser publisher ends newspaper career

Like the Creston News Advertiser is during the week, you’ll find Publisher Rich Paulsen somewhere in town.

After nearly 42 years in the newspaper business, Paulsen will retire effective May 28.

“I didn’t know how long I’d be here,” Paulsen said about his first day in Creston, which was May 1, 2000. Common among newspaper people, Creston was Paulsen’s sixth stop, which would be his last, during his career.

“My wife’s sister lived in Murray, which was the only way we knew of Creston at the time,” he said. “At the time, I didn’t think it would be the last stop. But we raised our kids here. I’ve enjoyed the town and it is a nice place to live. There are a lot of great people.”

Creston was not a terribly long-distance move as he was publisher of the newspaper in Nebraska City, Nebraska, along the Missouri River in the southeast portion of the state. Not only did he overlook the daily paper, he also helped a sister, weekly newspaper in Syracuse.

Creston is not the only Iowa newspaper Rich has seen come off the presses. Before Nebraska City he was in Boone as part of a newspaper group that included Algona and Adel. The operation also had a shopper publication.

The Lincoln, Nebraska, native earned a degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska; a subject he had an interest in while growing up. But he had to wait a couple of years to put the college knowledge to use.

“There were no jobs,” he said about the status after earning the degree. “I had friends who had been sitting around for two years looking. There was just nothing to be had.”

He did get a phone call. He was offered an advertisement sales position in Alliance, Nebraska, in extreme northwest Nebraska.

“A college teacher told me about Alliance and it was 400 miles from Lincoln. It’s hard to get people to small towns after school. We talked and I ended up going there,” he said.

During his eight-year stint in Alliance, he was promoted to advertisement director.

Paulsen took the next step on the proverbial ladder and was named publisher of the Goodland, Kansas, a daily paper at the time, in 1987.

After four years in northwest Kansas, Paulsen moved on to the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Eagle Tribune. Not only was he advertising director, he was one of four in management who guided the business’ operation.

“Cheyenne was the biggest town I’ve ever worked in as it had about 50,000 people at the time,” he said. “I had made my career in rural parts of the country.”

Paulsen’s duties expanded while in Creston. In 2006, Shaw Media, owners of the Creston News Advertiser, purchased the Osceola Sentinel-Tribune. In 2017 Shaw acquired the Fontanelle Observer and Adair County Free Press in Greenfield. Last year, the Newton News, already owned by Shaw, was put under Paulsen’s watch under a group publisher format.

His career work spilled over into newspaper related organizations and networks including the Association of Free Community Newspapers, Midwest Free Community Newspapers and the Iowa Newspaper Association. He had been an INA board member for 12 years.

“That’s where you learn from other people and it’s been a good thing,” Paulsen said about the network groups.

Throughout his career and the positions he has had, his strategy hasn’t changed.

“Hire good people, give them the tools and guidance. Get out of their way and let them do their thing,” he said.

Shaw Media, owner of Creston News Advertiser, appreciated Paulsen’s efforts in Creston.

“We’re sorry to see Rich leave, but happy for him as he moves on to new adventures in retirement,” said Don Bricker, Shaw Media’s chief operating officer. “Rich has been a valued colleague and effective leader in our company for 21 years, and will be missed. We are fortunate to have Craig Mittag ready to step in and ensure a smooth transition within the company and the community. I congratulate Rich and Craig as they move on to the next stage in their lives.”

Knowing the Creston community supported the News Advertiser, Paulsen returned the favor and has been involved in service organizations and projects.

“That is how you keep up on stuff,” he said about joining groups. “You know what is going on if you are in Creston. You will know what is going on in Creston.”

Paulsen’s involvement has been extensive from a member of the Rotary Club, Greater Regional Medical Center foundation board and part of the annual McKinley Park Festival.

“Rich has done everything I asked him to do and he does it well,” said John Kawa, Creston Park and Recreation Board chairman. “He helps with concerts. He helps with the kids’ day and has done that pretty much by himself. He’s done nothing but good for the park.”

Kawa said Paulsen is heavily involved in the kids’ fishing day and park festival.

“I think Rich has grabbed a hold of it and took it. He gets the sponsors. He gets things going. He’s into the kids as much as anybody and he loves to see it all happen.”

Paulsen represents Union County for the University of Iowa’s Business Leadership Network. The entity develops beneficial relationships between the university’s college of public health and small and medium-sized businesses and communities.

“I’ve done that for 12 years and there are 55 counties involved. They may not be as prosperous counties, like Polk, but it is more about the rural counties.”

Paulsen is also a longtime blood donor as he approaches his 130th unit donated. A unit is the equivalent to a pint. He started giving in the late 1980s.

“I don’t know if he ever sleeps. He’s on so many boards,” Kawa said. “We need 100 more like him.”