The 91原创 Advance Times and Aldergrove Star have a new publisher, as Shaulene Burkett has taken over the top job as of the end of September.
Burkett has been in the community news industry for 26 years, starting with Vannet Newspapers, and for the last decade with Black Press media. She has led sales teams at the Surrey Now Leader, and for the last several years has been the group advertising manager for the 91原创 Advance Times, the Aldergrove Star, and the Maple Ridge News.
She also simultaneously led the teams for several real estate publications for Black Press in the Lower Mainland division.
鈥淚 am looking forward to my new role as publisher of the 91原创 Advance Times and Aldergrove Star,鈥� Burkett said. 鈥淚 had a great mentor, Lisa Farquharson. I am excited to get started and to continue working with an amazing sales, editorial and circulation team.鈥�
The holder of a BBA with a major in marketing, Burkett enjoys travelling, reading, tennis, yoga, and working with numbers and systems.
鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to take over a very community-supported newspaper,鈥� Burkett said.
鈥淚 would say the community and the newspaper, we鈥檙e partners.鈥�
Burkett will be taking over after several years of working closely with Farquharson, who is leaving Black Press Media after 25 years.
Farquharson, who was a sales rep, a sales manager, and eventually a publisher. Before she stepped down, she was the group publisher responsible for the 91原创 Advance Times, Maple Ridge News, and Aldergrove Star.
Stepping away from her job was a difficult decision, Farquharson said.
鈥淥ver the years, I have had the privilege of collaborating with incredibly talented and supportive colleagues, and I will cherish the memories we鈥檝e created,鈥� she said.
Farquharson鈥檚 colleagues praised Burkett as she took over, but also spoke about Farquharson鈥檚 work at the papers over the years.
鈥淟isa has been a great colleague and contributed immensely to Black Press,鈥� said Randy Blair, chief operating officer of the B.C. division of Black Press Media. 鈥淗opefully, she will return one day.鈥�
鈥淚 obviously wish her the very, very best,鈥� said Roxanne Hooper, editor at the 91原创, Maple Ridge, and Aldergrove papers. 鈥淏ut I am sad for every member of our team, who I know will miss her for so many reasons.鈥�
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