The Press Banner has new leadership: a new editor and a new advertising director.
The new editor, Barry Holtzclaw, is a veteran newspaper writer, editor and publisher. He directs this newspaper’s print and online news content.
The new advertising director, Jeannette Close, is an experienced publishing and sales executive. She leads an expanded sales team.
Press-Banner publisher Will Fleet announced the appointments this week.
“I am excited about the future of the Press Banner and the communities it serves,” said Fleet.
“Barry’s distinguished career in journalism and his intimate knowledge of our Press Banner communities will lay the groundwork for a new era of commitment to serve the information needs of our readers,” said Fleet.
“Jeannette’s broad experience leading community newspapers and her sales background give her a keen understanding of the unique and powerful buying power of this newspaper’s 40,000 readers and their value to Santa Cruz County businesses.”
Fleet is president of Tank Town Media, which owns the Press Banner, Tracy Press and Paterson Irrigator.
The Press Banner serves the communities of Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Felton and Scotts Valley.
Holtzclaw is a New York native who has lived in California for 20 years, including 12 in the San Lorenzo Valley, where he coached AAU girls basketball and was a leader at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
After an award-winning journalism career with daily newspapers in New York, North Carolina and Kansas, he was the editor of weekly business newspapers in Kansas and Oakland.
Holtzclaw is a former communications manager at Santa Clara University and served as a communications vice president for Comerica Bank.
Close was born and raised in Illinois, and has lived in California for 40 years and in Boulder Creek for 20 years.
She has directed advertising sales for community newspapers in San Diego and Silicon Valley, and began working for newspapers in high school.
Contact Barry Holtzclaw at pb******@pr*********.com. Contact Jeannette Close at pb***@pr*********.com.
