Michael Jacobson, fourth generation publisher-owner of the Paynesville Press
Bloomington, Minn. (January 29, 2016) – Michael Jacobson, the fourth generation publisher-owner of the Paynesville Press was elected president of the Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA), Friday, January 29, during the Association’s annual meeting at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Bloomington. Jacobson is the 136th president of MNA, representing more than 340 newspapers across the state.
“I am passionate about newspapers, about how they tell a community’s story, week in and week out, good and bad, so I am proud to serve as MNA’s president and to give back to our industry that does so much everyday in this great state,” said Jacobson. “Our members, our board, and our fine staff share my passion for news and community, and it is a privilege to work with them.”
Jacobson’s great-grandfather purchased the weekly Paynesville Press newspaper in 1924 and passed it on to Mike’s grandfather Earle LeMasurier and his parents Peter and Lynne (LeMasurier) Jacobson.
Michael worked at the Press as a kid in several capacities – janitor, inserter, printer’s devil, darkroom helper, delivery driver, etc. – and joined the business full-time after graduating from Augsburg College, majoring in history and math, in 1993. He has served as a reporter (1994-96), as editor (1999-present), and as publisher (since 2006). He also was a Peace Corps volunteer in Lumi, Papua New Guinea, teaching math, from 1996-98.
The Press also publishes the weekly Central Minnesota Lakes Shopper. In October 2012, Jacobson founded the Eden Valley-Watkins Voice, a newspaper covering the towns of Eden Valley and Watkins and the EV-W School District. He is a part owner of Quinco, a printing plant in Lowry, Minn.
Jacobson has won MNA and NNA awards for his writing and photography. The Paynesville Press won the inaugural Mills Trophy in 1983 as the best weekly newspaper in Minnesota.
Jacobson is the second MNA president from his family, as his father Peter served as MNA president in 1991-92. The Jacobsons are the seventh father-son presidential combo in MNA history, and the first since 1972!
Jacobson has served on the MNA board since 2011. He also serves on MNA’s Member Services Committee and has been president of the Minnesota News Media Institute, MNA’s non-profit arm, since 2012.
Locally, Jacobson serves on the board of directors of the Paynesville Historical Society, on the board of Paynesville Meals on Wheels, still delivering meals to shut-ins at noon on Wednesdays, and as president of the Keep the Quality Education Foundation.
He and his wife Geri, a pediatrician with CentraCare Health, have one daughter – 13-year-old Delaney– and live in Paynesville.
Others elected at the MNA annual meeting include:
- First Vice President: Christerfer Schultz, Herald Journal, Howard Lake
- Second Vice President: Marge Winkelman – ECM, Coon Rapids
- Third Vice President: Mike Dalton – Cannon Falls Beacon
- Director for Three-Year Term: Justin Lessman- Jackson County Pilot
- Treasurer: Chad Koenen- Henning Publications
Chris Knight-APG Media and Karin Ramige-McLeod County Chronicle, Glencoe will continue to serve as directors. Joni Harms, Daily Globe, Worthington will serve as immediate past president.
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About the Minnesota Newspaper Association
The Minnesota Newspaper Association, a voluntary association of all general-interest newspapers in the state of Minnesota, acts on behalf of the newspaper press of the state. It represents its newspapers in the legislature and in court, sells advertising for newspapers, operates a mailing service (press releases), sponsors a large annual convention in the Twin Cities, and engages in a vigorous program of training persons for newspaper work. Find out more by visiting www.mna.org.