Campana named 2020-21 NINA president
Dan Campana, a communications-media entrepreneur and longtime newspaper reporter and editor, has been named the 2020-21 president of the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association (NINA).
Campana is currently the senior manager for communications with the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). He spent nearly a decade in suburban Chicago newsrooms covering crime, courts, local government and everything else community newspapers typically cover. In 2010, he set out on his own as a freelance writer and communications consultant. In the last decade he has written for numerous magazines, local publications and clients. He joined ENA in 2017 as its member magazine's assistant editor and, in 2018, moved into his current role overseeing internal and external communications, including media relations.
“I grew up in journalism at community newspapers in DeKalb, Geneva and Aurora,” said Campana . “Some 20 years later, and long since I left daily newspaper life, I haven't lost sight of the continued importance of local journalists and publications. That's why I remained a member of NINA and am proud to lead it in 2021.”
“NINA's emphasis in 2021 is community journalism,” he added. “We plan to look everywhere we can for ideas, collaboration and support that bolsters community journalism. Our members will be reporting on upcoming local elections, the continued impact of COVID-19 and pressing societal issues. If ever there was a time to emphasize the importance of local media and how it serves our communities, that time is now.”
Campana follows Margarita Mendoza, editor of the El Observador, the Spanish-language monthly newspaper for the Diocese of Rockford. During her leadership in 2020, NINA held a webinar on Defending Journalism and a virtual awards banquet with guest speaker Matt Dietrich of the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Joining Campana on the NINA executive board are: 1st vice president Pat Szpekowski, a freelance journalist, PR Strategies & Communications, Inc.; 2nd vice president John Lampinen, editor of the Daily Herald; treasurer Jim Slonoff, publisher of The Hinsdalean; Margarita Mendoza, Immediate Past President; executive secretary Jason Akst, Northern Illinois University Department of Communication; and communications coordinator Shelley Hendricks, Northern Star, Northern Illinois University.
Board members are comprised of individuals representing diverse newspaper, journalism, and media expertise: Dennis Anderson, Shaw Media; Joe Biesk, Chicago Tribune; Jay Dickerson, The Galena Gazette; John Etheridge, Kendall County Record Newspapers; James Fuller, Daily Herald; Phil Jurik, Suburban Trib, Chicago Tribune; Cristi Kempf, PCMA executive editor; Rick Nagel, formerly of Kane County Connects and the Beacon-News; Tom Parisi, Northern Illinois University Division of Marketing and Communications; Roger Ruthhart, The Displatch/Rock Island Argus editor, retired; Tammie Sloup, The Times, Ottawa; and Penny Wiegert, The Observer, Diocese of Rockford.
About NINA
Founded in 1962, to promote the newspapers of Northern Illinois, NINA develops programs and workshops to enhance the profession and recognizes journalistic achievements through a prestigious annual contest. NINA's ties with Northern Illinois University extend to its beginnings when it was founded by Dr. Donald Grubb, long-time chairman of the university's journalism department. NINA remains affiliated with the Communication Department, which now houses NIU's journalism programs. Members are located throughout Northern Illinois and include individuals and newspapers ranging from independent weeklies with circulations under 2,000 to large chains with circulations over 200,000.
For membership information, contact Shelley Hendricks at shendricks@niu.edu.