Community Owned. Local News. Burke County, NC.
The Paper is no longer a startup. We have proven the concept, have captured brand awareness, have established the product, and have gained considerable market share in our quest to bring to you a locally owned, all-local, community-driven print and digital newspaper.
On May 1, we transitioned from a start-up mentality to an operational model focused on being Burke County’s preferred source of local news for decades.
Central to this transition are several promotions and new employees. This expansion of The Paper’s news-gathering structure increases our local news leadership and expands our capabilities of serving Burke County readers with interesting, relevant, and responsible local news.
Since Day One, we have been focused on one thing — being the unequivocally preferred and respected source of Burke County news. The changes are part of a succession strategy that preserves The Paper’s role in serving Burke County as only a truly local, philanthropically supported newspaper can.
Bill Poteat, who was The Paper’s first hire and who as editor built a team, a culture, and a newsroom philosophy perfectly fitted for Burke County, has been promoted to Editor Emeritus. (See related story here). He will work three days a week writing profiles, features, and columns, and assisting news operations as needed.
“Being the first editor of The Paper has been a wonderful and joyful experience,” said Poteat. “But it’s the right time for me to work a little less and enjoy life a little more. I have the utmost confidence that our new editor will build upon our established standard of excellence.”
Angela Kuper Copeland has been promoted to Editor of The Paper’s print and digital newspapers. Hired before The Paper was published, she quickly advanced from part-time education reporter to Arts & Entertainment editor. The Paper’s popular A&E section is entirely her vision and she built it from a concept to a valuable component of community news.
Copeland holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Auburn University and a master’s degree in English from Troy University and has a demonstrated record of accomplishments in her career, including roles in newspaper start-ups, reporter, editor, and a public affairs host for the regional NPR network in Montgomery, Ala.
“Throughout my journalism and communications career, I have always been drawn to the stories that reflect the personality of the community,” Copeland said. “My priority is to help the team bring our readers the stories they won’t see anywhere else.”
Sandra Wilkerson Queen has been promoted to Arts & Entertainment Editor from Education and Business Reporter. Queen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, both from the University of North Carolina - Asheville.
A former teacher in the McDowell school system, Queen began her journalism career as a general assignment reporter and lifestyle editor for the McDowell News.
"Music has been a part of my life since the time I was born,” Queen said, “and I discovered theater in middle school. I’ve loved the arts and been inspired by artists for as long as I can remember, so I am ready to amplify our coverage of the thriving art, music, and cultural community in Burke County."
Charda Pearson has joined The Paper as its Education, Business, and General Assignment Reporter. A graduate of Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Public Relations and Mass Communication, Pearson has vast experience in communication and public relations, including nine years with Sky at Twelve Media Group in Los Angeles, Calif., where she specialized in marketing and public relations.
"My family is from Burke so this is a full-circle moment for me. It’s Divine,” Pearson said. “I look forward to building lasting relationships in the Burke County community."
Nathanael Eure has joined The Paper as its 2024 intern. A Morganton resident, Eure is completing his Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from Appalachian State University. Since enrolling in 2020, Eure has consistently been recognized as a member of the Housing Honors Society, comprising the top 5 percent of on-campus student leaders.
Eure will participate in all elements of The Paper’s operations including research, reporting, writing, and political coverage.
"For years I thought I was destined for law school after college, but after being introduced to the field of journalism in two amazing courses at App State, I was left with a lot of introspective questions on what I wanted to do after college," Eure said. "I felt like The Paper was the perfect environment to grow and by the end of this summer my hope is the guidance, hands-on experience, and communication skills can make me a better leader."
Jessica Beane has joined The Paper as its Visual Creative Director overseeing page design, graphic presentation, prepress production, and an assortment of other design-related needs. These services had previously been outsourced.
Beane has nearly 30 years of experience in newspaper production, including a decade of page design and layout for the Lee Enterprises family of regional media properties including those in Marion, Morganton, Hickory, Statesville, and Concord.
The Paper generates its revenue from three sources: advertising, subscribers, and philanthropic tax-deductible donations to the Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation (WNCJF) and the Nelle and H. Allen Smith Limited Endowment.
Both of these philanthropic arms have been IRS credentialed. We have been waiting for The Paper to emerge from a concept to a proven community need before we began a national and local campaign for donors supporting local news entities.
In a related story on this page, we detail the appointment of Barbara Wetsig-Lynam as Executive Director of the WNCJF. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Geneva. The story will detail her 20 years of experience in designing and executing philanthropic partnerships.
Thank you for reading The Paper and for allowing us to bring Burke County’s local news to your door.
Allen VanNoppen is publisher of The Paper. He may be reached at 828-445-8595 or via email at allen@thepaper.media.
