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After more than 25 years in the newspaper business, Sidney Herald publisher Libby Berndt has decided to turn the page of that section of her life.
Wick Communications and Berndt have announced the Sidney native’s final day as the Herald’s publisher will be May 31.
“We are in the process of seeking her successor,” John Mathew, Wick Communications CEO, said. “Libby has done an excellent job as publisher in Sidney, after starting there as a part-time typesetter and working her way up through the ranks. I admire her work ethic and willingness to help others. She has been a pleasure to work with.”
Her future professional plans are unknown, but with experiences ranging from substituting for paper carriers to working on Freedom of Information efforts, Berndt feels she has done all she can in the newspaper world.
Berndt began her career as a part-time typesetter in 1987. She was promoted to classified advertising manager in February 1998 where she was in charge of organizing all classified promotions and assisting customers.
In 1992, she was promoted to the position of advertising consultant where she worked with businesses on advertising promotions. Then in July 1993, she took over the office manager/bookkeeping duties at the Herald.
When former Herald publisher Rick Schneider accepted the publisher position at the Eastern Arizona Courier in Safford, Ariz., Berndt was named the Sidney Herald’s publisher in January of 2001.
During her tenure, the Herald has won more than its fair share of honors for content and advertising, but the Herald always remained a community-first newspaper. For her service, the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture honored her with the Partners in Progress award in 2008. The award isn’t given every year but saved for special recognition for people who have given just a little more of themselves.
Berndt kept extremely active in the community as a former Lions Club president and one of the original committee members for the community’s Town and Country Festival. She is a member of the Sidney Chamber Leadership Task Force.
She was instrumental in organizing girls fast-pitch softball in Sidney, along with girls hockey. She is a past board member of the Richland Youth Hockey organization and current Foundation for Community Care board member. She’s a Sunday school teacher and past Sunday school superintendent of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.
During her time as publisher, Berndt served as president of the Montana Newspaper Association, and was a board member for the organization for several years.
As the community changed, so did the Herald under Berndt’s leadership. Additions have included an appealing and award-winning website and the Tappin’ the Bakken special section which will have its 17th edition this spring.
“I’ll be the first to admit that the reason this newspaper has been so successful is because I’ve been blessed with wonderful and dedicated employees. The entire staff is just great,” Berndt said.
