Zonelle Rainbolt, executive editor of Wesner Publications, took office as president of the Oklahoma Press Association July 1.
OPA members elected Rainbolt during the annual business meeting at the June 10-11 OPA Convention in Oklahoma City. Rainbolt, who succeeds John Denny Montgomery as president, will serve a one-year term. Rainbolt was first named to the OPA board of directors in 2017.
“I am a strong believer in a free, independent and accountable press,” Rainbolt said. “We have a responsibility to inform and must do that with accuracy and integrity. Our association is an integral partner in providing vital information to Oklahoma residents by supporting our member papers and providing them with some of the tools necessary to accomplish those tasks.”
Rainbolt, a longtime resident of Cordell, received a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Christian University and a Master’s of Education in Social Studies from The University of Oklahoma.
After working as a teacher, in the banking industry and as a small business owner, she joined the staff of The Cordell Beacon where she served as editor for more than 20 years. When she left that position, she was named executive editor for Wesner Publications, which owns the Beacon and several other newspapers.
“Zonelle Rainbolt is among the most talented community journalists I’ve ever met,” said Brett Wesner, president of Wesner Publications and current chair of the National Newspaper Association.
“She published one of Oklahoma’s best newspapers for two decades, helping make Cordell a better and closer community. She never shied away from difficult coverage when necessary, but her love for this town was evident in everything she wrote,” Wesner, who is also a Cordell native, said.
“It was such a privilege to be the editor of my hometown newspaper, and I know from that experience how vital community newspapers are,” Rainbolt said. “I will always treasure the memories of Beacon readers waiting to get their papers early on Wednesday morning, of people calling me about news items, and getting to photograph the events that chronicle the lives of area residents. It is exciting to know I get to spend the next year learning how other newspapers in Oklahoma provide news to their readers and help their local businesses grow, and also to get to share that information with OPA members,” she said.
Additional OPA leaders were also elected for the current year. Don Mecoy, managing editor of The Oklahoman, was elected vice president, and David Stringer, publisher of The Lawton Constitution, was elected treasurer. All officers will serve a one-year term.
John Denny Montgomery, co-publisher of The Purcell Register, will serve as immediate past president. Erin Dyer Thompson, advertising director of the El Reno Tribune, was elected as a new director for a three-year term and a three-year director term for Sheila Gay, publisher of the Woodward News, was renewed. The appointment of Mark Codner, publisher of The Newcastle Pacer, to fulfill the final year of a threeyear director term also was approved.
Other directors are Shauna Belyeu, general manager of The Eufaula Indian Journal; Suzie Campbell, publisher of the Countywide & Sun; and Misti Rinehart, advertising director for the Tulsa World.
Rainbolt, who is a mother and grandmother, is married to Charles, an attorney. They reside in Cordell.