Tag: Newspaper

Lehigh Valley Business and The Central Penn Business Journal have hired two industry veterans to lead the news and sales teams of both media outlets.

Former Reading Eagle Editor-in-Chief, Garry Lenton, will oversee both newsroom staffs as the teams’ managing editor. Lenton has deep roots in the central and eastern regions of the state, having spent 27 years at The Patriot-News/PennLive, and seven at the Reading Eagle.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to become part of two high-performing newsrooms who have helped set the standard for business reporting in the state,” Lenton said. “I believe in the power of journalism to play a vital role in the quality of life in a community, and reporting on economic development and the opportunities it creates is a key part of that quality.”

At the Eagle, Lenton helped to create the popular Berks Country magazine section, which went on to win numerous state and national awards. Under his direction in 2018-19, the Eagle won the Division 2 sweepstakes award in the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association’s Keystone Press Awards for the seventh consecutive year. He also made changes that resulted in double-digit growth in the page views on the newspaper’s website and steep increases in digital subscriptions.

Lenton is a member and former president of the Pennsylvania Society of News Editors, and a former member of Investigative Reporters and Editors. He and his wife, Peg, live in Lebanon County. They have three adult children.

Anthony Falduto, a Lancaster resident with a proven track record in business development, media sales and digital marketing, will join CPBJ, LVB, as well as Central Penn Parent, as it sales director. Falduto has held several leadership positions in various national media markets, including BH Media (Berkshire Hathaway), WorkWave LLC and NJ Press Media-Gannett. At BH Media he led the national sales and market development for more than 70 BH Media properties throughout the United States.

“I am very excited to be part of the team,” Falduto said. “I look forward to engaging in the community, partnering with the many businesses located in our markets and continuing to help develop prosperous sponsorships, events and solutions that will help our clients succeed.”

Each newsroom will still run independently, but have a more streamlined approach to the overall operations. The knowledge that Lenton and Falduto bring to the table will be key to that growth.

“Garry and Anthony will help leverage the business successes across publications, accelerate our growth and provide new opportunities for our staff and clients,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, group publisher for BridgeTower Media, the parent company for CPBJ, Parent and LVB.

“The goal is to continue increasing our reach with readers, advertisers and partners while staying true to our hyper-local focus,” Fischer-Huettner said. “Digital growth will be key to that success.”
In addition to the Lenton and Falduto hires, the group is also planning to hire a regional special projects editor and a regional business reporter.

Cathy Hirko, associate publisher/editorial director, will continue to lead the editorial direction of all three newsrooms and will work with Falduto to take over the sales responsibilities held by Mike O’Rourke, who is no longer with the company. Hirko will also help grow the group’s core events and launch new ones that both recognize individual achievement and business excellence.

“This is an exciting time in our Pennsylvania market,” Hirko said. “Our leadership is giving us the resources we need to build on all the great work we do day-in and day-out. Like any smart business, we are making these moves to strengthen our growth prospects and provide our people with the right team, tools and strategy to succeed.”

Lenton and Falduto begin working with both teams this month.