Mays named Record publisher

After a three-week search and interviewing process, The South Whidbey Record has hired a new publisher.

Taking the lead executive’s job at the 81-year-old newspaper will be Sherry Mays, a five-year South Whidbey resident who comes to the job with a background in newspaper writing, editing and publishing consulting. She will begin work at The Record on Monday.

Sound Publishing, The Record’s parent company, announced Mays’ hiring on March 30, 20 days after former publisher Melissa Richardson was fired for, according to Sound president Manfred Tempelmayr, “mishandling company assets.”

For the past two years, Mays has edited and written for On!Whidbey, a monthly entertainment and cultural guide published jointly by The South Whidbey Record and the Whidbey News-Times. Also in her years on the island, Mays has operated her own business, Twin Cedars Resources, a publishing consulting company. Previously, she was the editor of the Sierra Sun, a weekly community newspaper in Truckee, Calif., and the editor of Voyage magazine.

Talking about her new position with The Record last week, Mays said she is looking forward to starting work at The Record’s Bayview office.

“I’ve really enjoyed being involved in the community,” she said. “Being able to serve my community in this capacity is an honor.”

As The Record’s publisher, Mays will oversee the newspaper’s entire operation and will be particularly involved with working with The Record’s sales staff and with advertisers.

She lives in Langley with her husband Russell and daughter, Lily.

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