Citizen publisher Lappas named to Virginia Press Association Board of Directors

Henrico Citizen owner and publisher Tom Lappas was appointed May 4 by the Virginia Press Association’s Board of Directors to serve a three-year term on the board.

Lappas will become the first publisher of an online-only publication ever to serve on the VPA’s board, which determines the policies and activities of the VPA, the statewide organization that since 1881 has worked to champion the interests of Virginia newspapers and, in more recent years, online news publications. His term begins July 1.

Lappas’ appointment came during the board’s meeting at the VPA’s annual conference in Charlottesville. Earlier during the meeting, board members had voted to expand the board from 12 to 13 members in order to include a dedicated seat for online publications. The other 12 seats are split evenly between daily and non-daily print publications.

Dennis Brack, publisher of the Rappahannock News, was elected to serve as the president of the board for a term also beginning July 1. The board's leadership also includes Loudoun Now Publisher Norman Styer (vice president); Washington Post Deputy General Cousel Kalea Clark (secretary); Virginia Media's Alan Levenstein (treasurer), Lee Enterprises Western Virginia Group Vice President and Bristol Herald Courier Publisher Jim Maxwell (past president); and VPA Executive Director Betsy Edwards (assistant secretary and treasurer).

Joining Lappas as new board members are Alexandria Times Publisher Denise Dunbar and Lee Enterprises Regional Classified Director Joy Monopoli.

Other returning board members are Virginia Media/Mountain Media Advertising Director Wendi Craig; Daily News-Record Publisher Shari Keyes; The Recorder Publisher Anne Adams; Richmond Times-Dispatch Executive Editor Chris Coates; Scott County Virginia Star Publisher Lisa Watson McCarty.