New publisher named in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Mark Wilson

Longtime Rocky Mount (N.C.) Telegram Publisher Rip Woodin, who steered the newspaper through hurricanes, a historic flood and into the digital age, has retired.

"While I am sad to see Rip leave, I am pleased to announce that Telegram Advertising and Marketing Director Mark Wilson has agreed to assume the lead position in Rocky Mount," said John Cooke Jr., president of Cooke Communications.

Retiring Publisher Rip Woodin, left, with incoming Publisher Mark Wilson.

Woodin, 66, has worked for newspapers for 44 years, beginning as a headline writer for the Greensboro Daily News in 1969. His career as a reporter, editor and publisher has taken him through five states – North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan and Wyoming. He became publisher of the Telegram in July 1998 after serving as group publisher of 10 non-daily publications owned at that time by Cox Newspapers Inc.

Cooke Communications bought the Telegram and other Cox properties in North Carolina in 2009. Woodin remained publisher after the sale.

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In addition, a veteran newspaper executive has been named the advertising and marketing director for the Rocky Mount Telegram.

Jon M. Noel was named to this position when Wilson became the Telegram’s publisher.

“I’m thrilled with this opportunity to continue to build on the many successes we’ve enjoyed over the past couple of years,” Noel said. “Despite some less-than-ideal economic conditions, we have listened to local businesses and worked to develop programs and partnerships that will meet their marketing needs.”

Wilson said: “I am very confident in Jon managing our advertising departments. Jon is innovative and diligent, and he works really hard to offer our customers tools to better market themselves, in turn, improving our customer service and customer knowledge.”