BLUEFIELD — Terri Hale — a Beckley native, Trap Hill High School graduate and longtime contributor to Beckley Newspapers — was named editor of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph Wednesday along with the state’s two other CNHI newspapers, The Register-Herald and the Times West Virginians in the Fairmont.
Hale began her newspaper career in 1979 in advertising.
“I was hired by Frank Wood,” Hale said of the former publisher of The Register-Herald, who late in his career oversaw the operations of CNHI’s three properties in the state.
Hale began her career advancement shortly after she was hired, working in sales and then rising to sales manager. She also served as advertising director for the Daily Telegraph and The Register-Herald before being promoted to vice president of sales, a regional position at CNHI, the newspaper’s parent company based in Montgomery, Alabama.
Last year, Hale was appointed general manager of the three newspapers in West Virginia by Fred Scheller, CNHI regional director and editor of the Daily Item in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, who made the announcement Wednesday during a site visit to Beckley.
“Terri has been successful at every level of the newspaper business,” said Schiller. “She has shown impressive leadership qualities. Her experience in the business and knowledge of the markets make her the perfect fit.”
Hale says there’s a lot to do in her new role.
But job #1, she said, “is taking care of our customers.”
“We already have award-winning newspapers,” Have said. “We just want to be good for our communities and help our communities grow.”
The Bluefield Daily Telegraph has been named Newspaper of the Year by the West Virginia Press Association three years in a row, while last year The Register-Herald won first place among the state’s high-circulation newspapers in the General Excellence category.
Hale called community newspapers “the lifeblood” of every small community.
“We impact people’s lives every day,” she said.
Hale, 64, has been married for over 40 years and she and her husband John have a son, Johnathon, who is a dentist in Oak Hill.
“I love this industry,” Hale said. “I love the newspaper.
“My dad told me if you find a job you love, you won’t work a day in your life.”
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