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MONTROSE, CO – Francis L. Wick has been named publisher of the Montrose Daily Press, it was announced Thursday to staff members by Wick Communications president and CEO, John Mathew. Wick begins his responsibilities July 1.
Wick, 30, is the son of Robert J. Wick, one of Wick Communications’ owners and grandson of one the company’s two founders, Milton I. Wick.
Wick will graduate in May from the Eller School of Business at the University of Arizona with a masters in business administration. Wick also has an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Arizona.
Wick succeeds Stephen Woody, who will become publisher of The Sheridan (Wyo.) Press. Woody’s last day at the Daily Press will be April 28. He becomes publisher of The Sheridan Press July 1. Woody has been the publisher of the newspaper since Wick Communications bought the Montrose Daily Press, Feb. 11, 1997.
“Stephen Woody has done an excellent job in his years as publisher of the Montrose Daily Press, as well as in earlier assignments for Wick Communications,” Mathew said. “We appreciate his stewardship and wish him and his family well in their new venture in Sheridan. We also look forward to Francis and Mandy Wick becoming part of the Montrose community and believe Francis will do well as the Daily Press’ new publisher.”
Wick has grown up in his family’s business and worked elsewhere to gain training and experience. For two years, he worked in the advertising and news departments at the Summit County Daily News in Frisco, Colo. Wick was the classified advertising manager for the Daily Iberian, in New Iberia, La., a Wick Communications newspaper, for almost three years. On March 13, he and the former Mandy Phillips were married.
Phillips-Wick, who grew up in Plano, Texas, graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth with a degree in modern dance. She danced professionally in New York City before returning to school for a degree in massage therapy. Most recently, Phillips-Wick has been managing the spa at The Lodge at Ventana Canyon in Tucson and dancing with a Tucson modern dance company, Zuzi.
“It is a great privilege to be named publisher of the Montrose Daily Press,” Wick said. “I look forward to working with the Press’ staff and community to provide the highest standard of community information.”
“Mandy and I see Montrose as a very special place. We are honored to become part of this community and call it home,” he added.
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Woody, 58, is leaving Wick Communications after 31 years as a daily newspaper publisher in Sierra Vista, Ariz., Roanoke Rapids, N.C., and in Montrose for the past 14 years. During his tenure here, Woody added Sunday and Saturday editions, converted the newspaper from afternoon to morning delivery, upgraded production facilities, conducted market and reader research, started the Destination Montrose magazines and was part of the design team of the Daily Press’ facility at 3684 N. Townsend.
The three-building campus houses the Daily Press news and advertising offices, a multi-media studio and its production facilities for the printing of its more than 25 community newspapers and niche publications on the Western Slope. It was built in 2007.
The Daily Press was honored by the Colorado Associated Press and the Colorado Press Association as the state’s best small daily newspaper for general excellence on three occasions. Woody has been cited by the AP and the CPA for column and editorial writing, among other awards. He writes the Publisher’s Notebook.
The Daily Press published a number of enterprise journalism projects in his tenure, including the investigation of the Elizabeth Mining & Development, Inc. The stories resulted in the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Colorado shutting down the recycling plant and bringing about criminal convictions of its owners after years of multiple environmental abuses. The Daily Press also published a special project about the proposed Pinon Ridge uranium mill and mine in the West End of Montrose County; two projects about the community’s growth and development; a project about the local Vietnam War veterans.
In 2009, the Daily Press was one of only two newspapers in Colorado to staff the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Photojournalist William Woody, now with the Grand Junction Daly Sentinel, provided the coverage for the Daily Press and other Wick newspapers. The Daily Press also initiated a number of online endeavors including debates with citizens running for elective office, live Web coverage of community events and live Friday night football games of Montrose High and Olathe High. Most recently, the Daily Press hosted its "Letter Writers Conference," uniting citizens with opposing political views for lunch and a discussion of community issues.
Woody was part of the founding of the Thursday night summer festival in downtown Montrose, "Main in Motion," the Uncompahgre Valley Business Expo in January, was a board member of the Telluride Jazz Celebration, serving as its secretary for 11 years.
Most notably, he was a board member of the San Juan Healthcare Foundation for eight years. During the time, funds were raised to build the San Juan Cancer Center. It opened April 3, 2006. Woody is a cancer survivor and has been active in cancer-related support groups.
He’s also been active in the marketing of the Montrose Community Foundation. The Daily Press has been the sponsor or co-sponsor of concerts, art and other cultural endeavors, community forums, and other events that brought about a greater understanding of issues before citizens. Two examples of the newspaper’s activism is the Support of the $21 bond issue in 2002 which brought about new schools and school renovations after two previsouly failed attempts. Another was its support of the 2007 referendum to increase funding for law enforcement and better roads in Montrose County.
“That’s the best part of being publisher,” said Woody. “Getting involved with our citizens and readers and developing a consensus from many viewpoints for the public good.”
Susan Woody was active in the Montrose community as well. She is a past president of the Montrose Altrusa Club and has attended Altrusa conferences in the U.S. and abroad for community and club development. She received the Altrusa International Community Leadership Service Award in 2003. She led a number of Altrusa Club projects regarding local charities and environmental efforts and initiated the "Seasons Readings" book program which was co-sponsored by the Daily Press. Currently, she is the president of the Montrose Botanical Society.
For several years, Susan Woody produced and edited the food and home sections of the Daily Press, writing a weekly column. She is a Sheridan, Wyo., native. Her mother and family members reside there.
The Woodys are parents of two children, William, who is married to Jeana Wilson Woody of Montrose, a registered nurse, and Ryann Woody, a graduating senior from Montrose High. They have two grandchildren, Wilson Stephen Woody and Stella Marie Woody.
“It’s been my honor to be associated with the Wick family and Wick Communications,” Woody said.
“I was able to know Francis’ grandfather for a time, worked with his father and uncle for 30 years. They enabled me to pursue my passion for community journalism at age 28, a trust that has grown through the years. When I’ve been ill, they provided comfort and support. We’ve enjoyed each other’s company and shared much laughter. They’re among the best people I know.
"I’ve every confidence in Francis Wick. He brings to the Daily Press new ideas, curiosity, imagination, grace and a work ethic," he added.
“Montrose has been a great place to live, publish the local newspaper, raise children and be involved in community activities. It is a stimulating place, filled with people from diverse backgrounds, natives and newcomers both. It is indeed a ‘City on the Rise.’ Most of all, I’ve been blessed to work with such a dedicated and creative staff. Francis and Mandy will be similarly engaged in this vibrant community.”
The Montrose Daily Press is Montrose’s oldest business, established on the same day as the founding of the city of Montrose, May 23, 1882. With its community service since then, and with just five owners and six publishers, the Daily Press has chronicled the development of the area, the celebrations of its citizens, and has been its primary source of news, community information and marketing data.
