After more than 11 years of leading The Stanly News & Press, Sandy Selvy-Mullis has elected to resign her post as publisher.

Company Names New Publisher

A new publisher for The SNAP was named on Thursday.

Roger Watson will begin his role at The SNAP on Oct. 23.

“Roger Watson is a talented and experienced newspaper operator,” said Greg Anderson, publisher of The Salisbury Post and manager of the newspaper group that includes The SNAP.

“Roger is a hands-on, lead-by-example manager who is deeply committed to the community he serves,” Anderson added. “His newspaper in Staunton, Virginia was recognized by Gannett as the best small newspaper the last five years in a row. Roger is well-known to us. He has worked side-by-side with our publishers in the Virginia Press Association.”

Watson, 49, has been a newspaper publisher for 18 years, most recently at The News Leader in Staunton, Virginia.

Watson visited The SNAP last week after learning of the job opening. He was glad to see the county had substance and wasn’t just a bedroom community to Charlotte.

“It’s a community newspaper with a long-standing tradition in Stanly County,” he said of The SNAP.

He sees his role as publisher as one of helping the SNAP’s advertisers prosper as well as one of moving the community forward through community involvement.

Watson has been a Rotary Club member, served as a United Way board member, served on the advisory board with the Staunton Salvation Army and was a board member with the Virginia Press Association.

Watson worked his way up in the business, serving as sports reporter, sports editor, general assignment reporter and editor before accepting administration roles such as president, general manager and publisher.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Appalachian State University and was radio station manager of WASU. He entered college wanting to be a sports broadcaster, but after working at the school newspaper found a fondness for print. His first job out of college — which he completed in three years — was as a sports reporter with the Morganton News Herald.

Watson considers himself a big sports fan, especially baseball and ACC basketball.

Both Roger and his wife, Jenelle, are native North Carolinians.

“We welcome them home,” Anderson said.

The Watsons have three children — one in college and two in high school.

Roger Watson looks forward to transitioning into his new role and learning more about the community.

Selvy-Mullis Reflects on SNAP

Sandy Selvy-Mullis arrived at The SNAP in April 2007.

“I loved my time at The Stanly News & Press,” Selvy-Mullis said. “I will really miss this team of great individuals and wish them all the success.”

During her decade-long tenure, the SNAP received many awards and recognitions from the North Carolina Press Association as well as organizations in the community.

“I am very appreciative of the support we received from our readers and customers during my time as publisher,” she said.

Selvy-Mullis was involved in several organizations through the years, including Albemarle Rotary Club, Albemarle Downtown Business Association, United Way of Stanly County and GHA Autism Supports and lead the SNAP in partnerships with the Stanly County Family YMCA, the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation and others.

“It has been a privilege to work with Sandy Selvy-Mullis,” Anderson said. “Sandy’s hard work and dedication to serve readers, customers and those she works with built a strong foundation for the Stanly News & Press. She is a great leader, a true professional and an exceptional human-being.”

Her last day will be Friday.

“I’ve spent 22 wonderful years in the newspaper business, but believe this is a good time to start a new chapter in my life,” she said. “Stanly County is my home and I will not be leaving the area and I will continue to be involved in various community organizations in the county.”

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