Daily Herald Media Group recognizes six employees with excellence awards
The Daily Herald Media Group on Tuesday recognized six employees from various departments for their dedication and service to the company with this year’s Excellence Awards.
Recipients are:
• Dylan Cody, lead press operator, Community News Group
• Bob Cushman, digital programmer, Information Technology
• Chris Gerke, community news coordinator, Editorial
• Darren Hinerman, production director, Town Square Publications
• Marni Pyke, columnist and reporter, Editorial
• Marty Rogers, prepress technician, Production
“This is a special recognition and the group of winners represents all the good work taking place throughout the company,” said Doug Ray, CEO, publisher and chairman of Paddock Publications, the parent company of the Daily Herald, who marks 55 years with the organization this year. “As one of the presenters pointed out about the award winners, they are ‘do it all’ people rather than ‘know it all’ people. Each one provides extra effort every day. We are fortunate to have them.”
The winners were selected from more than 160 nominations companywide. Several of them were nominated multiple times by different staff members.
“Marty is a reliable problem solver,” said Don Stamper, director of operations for production and circulation, in announcing the award for Rogers, who has been with the company 25 years. “We rely heavily on Marty for support and training. Whatever the issue, his calm, reassuring approach is always welcome as he works to correct whatever may come our way.”
Executive Editor Lisa Miner lauded the diligent efforts of Gerke, a 30-year Daily Herald veteran, and Pyke, a 25-year veteran and senior columnist who reports on transportation and politics for the Daily Herald.
“Chris is the glue that holds so many important projects together,” Miner said. “Her hard work, easygoing manner, attention to detail and ability to master almost anything have made her invaluable over the years.”
Of Pyke, she said, “Marni covers whatever is needed, whenever it is needed, often without being asked. She is a Page 1 mainstay, a talented reporter and a writer who toggles easily between hard news and sensitive feature stories.”
Stephanie Anderson, senior vice president and director of IT, presented the award to Cushman, who joined the company in 2014. She called him the “behind-the-scenes guy whose fearless approach to change is a cornerstone of his success this past year.”
“He’s delivered a multitude of problem-solving, time-saving solutions and taken on additional duties to boot,” she said.
Scott Ray, vice president and general manager of Town Square Publications, recognized Hinerman, who joined the Town Square team in 2018.
“Darren’s proven ability to navigate through traditional waters has made him the perfect fit as we looked to restructure the production operations of Town Square earlier this year, in which Darren took on the important role of production director, and in the short time he’s been in that role, he has been an agent of change,” Ray said.
The Daily Herald Media Group has presented its excellence awards for nearly 50 years.
Rooted in the suburbs for more than 150 years, the employee-owned company has a number of publication products.