Normandin named regional president of APG Media

Jim Normandin

Adams Publishing Group Executive Vice President and Eastern Divisional President Gregg Jones has announced that James F. Normandin has become regional president of APG Media of Chesapeake. David Fike will continue to serve as publisher of The Star Democrat (Easton, Md.) and will take on the additional responsibility of becoming the APG Chesapeake Region's chief revenue officer. In addition, Fike will become chief development officer for the Eastern Division of APG for its Sales CRM Initiative.

"On behalf of Adams Publishing Group, I am very pleased to welcome Jim Normandin as the new regional president of APG Media of Chesapeake and to add the title of chief revenue officer to David Fike, who will continue to serve as publisher of The Star Democrat," said Jones. "Jim has a solid and successful track record of working with small, medium and large media companies and their leadership teams over nearly four decades. As is the case with David, Jim brings with him a spirited passion for building stronger communities through quality journalism and collaborative community spirit. He possesses a highly participative leadership style that focuses on solution-based principles, and that perfectly complements David Fike's significant leadership experience in, and institutional knowledge of, the Chesapeake Region.  They will make a highly effective team."

Normandin, 58, began his career in the classified department at the Fitchburg Sentinel and Leominster Enterprise, both in Massachusetts. Most recently Normandin served as chief operating officer of the Union Leader Corporation (New Hampshire Union Leader), based in Manchester, N.H. He has excelled for the previous 38 years as a publishing executive in Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, Iowa and New Hampshire.

"I am honored to join APG Media of Chesapeake and excited to lead the talented team of APG professionals to advance our mission in tandem with David Fike. More specifically, I know the impact quality publishing can have in strengthening a community, and I am confident we will progress with this mission and vision burning brighter than ever."

Normandin has presided over numerous industry-related, educational, private and public foundations and associations during his career, including the Independent Newspaper Group and the Woodward Foundation. His professional and educational background also includes traveling to the Ukraine in 2004 as part of a delegation promoting "Freedom of the Press" on the forefront of the "Orange Revolution," and he is a graduate of the Southern Production Press Institute in Oklahoma City, Okla.  Plus, wherever he has been, Normandin has held top leadership positions in numerous civic and community-oriented organizations and efforts including chambers of commerce, the United Way and The Make a Wish Foundation, among many others.

Normandin and his wife, Jody, are looking forward to residing in, and contributing to the quality of life throughout, the Chesapeake region, and have already purchased a home in Easton. They have one daughter, Jenna, who lost her battle to cancer at age 13 in 1999.

Fike, 51, is a native of Easton and a 26-year veteran of the Chesapeake Publishing Group, owned since 2014 by APG. Fike has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving the betterment of the Eastern Shore community through his personal and professional involvements, including through APG Media of Chesapeake. He began his career at The Kent Island Bay Times on Kent Island in the sales department and has steadily grown in leadership responsibility and solid achievement within APG Media of Chesapeake and its predecessors.

Fike currently serves as a board member of Shore Bancshares, Shore United Bank, Waterfowl Chesapeake and is secretary of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Delaware District of Columbia Press Association and its Foundation. He is also an active member of Easton Rotary and various other local groups, committees and youth sporting organizations.

"I am excited to move into this new role with Adams while, at the same time, keeping my ties to the local market. I'm looking forward to working in tandem with Jim Normandin and our leadership team in the region to propel our products and our staff into the future."

David Fike and his wife Gwen, reside in Trappe, and have two children, Harrison (14) and Morgan (12).