Profile

Profile: Ron Monahan

Ron, publisher of the Cumberland Times-News, began his career at the newspaper in 1966 working in the composing room. Since then he has held a variety of positions including advertising sales representative, retail advertising manager, advertising director and was named general manager in 1993. He was also director of printing for Thomson Newspapers in West Virginia from 1995 to 1996 and then vice-president of operations for Thomson’s papers in West Virginia and Cumberland. In 1997, he was named publisher of the Times-News. Ron has been a member of the MDDC Board of Directors since 1999.

PERSONAL:
Born Nov. 5, 1948. Married for 32 years to Mary Catherine. Blessed with two beautiful children: Amy who is 25 and a graduate of Towson State, and Craig who we lost in 1999 at age 28.

Education: Attended Allegany College.

How would you describe yourself: "Aggressive and outgoing."

PROFESSIONAL:
Favorite part of job: "Having the opportunity to influence all aspects of newspaper publishing."

Least favorite part of job: "I really don’t have one."

List and briefly describe your mentor: "Donald Miller, former publisher of the Times-News, coached me through the ranks from ad rep to publisher."

Biggest challenge: "Growing revenues in a declining market."

Most serious challenge to newsgatherers today: "Although much progress has been made, obtaining public records is still a struggle."

Main benefit you derive from MDDC membership: "As a group we have more clout in dealing with government affairs."

FUN:
Fantasy job: "I am doing it."

Favorite music: "Oldies, particularly Motown."

Favorite car and the car you drive now: "1966 Corvette. Now driving a 1999 Toyota 4-Runner Limited."

Last book read: "Black Hawk Down" by Mark Bowden.

Favorite TV show: "60 Minutes"

Hobbies: "Golf."

Last or favorite vacation: "October 2001, Cancun, Mexico."

How would you most like to spend one day: "Playing golf at Augusta National Golf Club."

Favorite quotation: "It’s not that I am afraid to die, I just don’t want to be there when it happens." Woody Allen.

If you could be anyone else, who would you be? "No one. It took me 53 years to be who I am, I do not want to change now!"

If you could meet anyone else (any time in history), who would it be? "My Grandfather. He passed away before I was born. I understand he was one hell of a man."