FNNM gets new circulation director

Freedom Newspapers of New Mexico has hired a new circulation director for its three publications, the Clovis News Journal, the Quay County Sun and the Portales News-Tribune.

Gary Brown, 55, began work on Jan. 3, moving to Clovis from the Odessa American, a Freedom newspaper, where he oversaw bulk and rack sales and the paper’s Newspapers in Education (NIE) program.

“Gary Brown’s sales and management experiences at the Odessa American will help our three newspapers grow as we enter an exciting time for the region’s economic development,” Freedom Newspapers of New Mexico Publisher Ray Sullivan said. “As customers meet him, they will sense the ease with which his west Texas background, work ethic and values connect with eastern New Mexico.”

Brown replaces former Circulation Director Lynn Berry, who will move full-time into his role announced last year as FNNM’s community relations and NIE coordinator.

A native of Fort Stockton, Texas, Brown has several ideas to increase circulation in the area. He said officials are ironing out a contract with an area convenience store chain that would grant customers a free newspaper with a coffee purchase.

Brown, who has associate’s degrees in animal science and computer science, worked in the oil field business before changing gears five years ago to pursue a career in the newspaper business.

“I’ve always loved newspapers,” Brown said. “It’s a living history. The more people we get newspapers to, the more people we can help knowledge-wise. And knowledge is power.”

Brown moves to Clovis with his fiancee, Sandra Jenkins.