Company Philosophy, cont. (back to home page)

Pioneer's philosophy is to combine the best elements of family ownership with the advantages and operating efficiencies of a larger organization. Resources and buying power are pooled where appropriate, and the company seeks to provide leadership, training and support to its managers. Pioneer's operational decisions are not based on short-term profit considerations but on the long-term best interests of the publications, print and online, and the communities they serve. The objective is to have well-trained people operating in state-of-the-art facilities to achieve this goal.

A great deal is expected from the employees of Pioneer newspapers. While they must forever focus on productivity and be able to recognize and develop revenue potential, all employees must also manage their operations as good citizens, use their facilities to further the community welfare and focus on the long-term role of the publications in their markets. .


History of the Company


Pioneer Newspapers, Inc. is a family media business owned by members of the Scripps' family. The Scripps' family has a long history in newspapers, starting with E.W. Scripps in Cleveland in 1878. Pioneer Newspapers, Inc. was formed in 1974 by James G. Scripps, who died in 1986; his daughter Susan Scripps Wood is Chairwoman of the company's Board of Directors. Pioneer Newspapers, Inc. is the majority owner of a number of separate publishing businesses, each of which operates a daily newspaper in these communities: Klamath Falls, Oregon; Logan, Utah; Nampa, Idaho; Pocatello, Idaho; Bozeman, Montana; Rexburg, Idaho; and Ellensburg, Wash. The company also owns weekly newspapers in Big Sky, Belgrade and West Yellowstone, Montana; Emmett, Driggs, Preston and Montpelier Idaho; Tremonton, Utah; and Lakeview, Oregon, as well as a shopper publication in Klamath Falls. In 2000, Pioneer established a production facility in Preston, Idaho, and Bear River Publishing Co. now provides printing services to several Pioneer newspapers as well as to commercial customers. Pioneer also provides management services to and is closely associated with the Skagit Valley Publishing Co., owner of the daily newspaper in Mount Vernon, Washington and weekly publications in Anacortes, Burlington and Sedro-Woolley, Washington.


The Pioneer Corporate Staff

Pioneer Newspapers, Inc. is committed to maintaining a small corporate staff. The company’s corporate overhead is substantially below the industry average.

David Lord - President.

The president of Pioneer Newspapers, Inc. is David Lord, who has held that position since 1991. Prior to coming to Pioneer, David was a partner in a Seattle law firm and before that a deputy prosecuting attorney in King County, Washington. David graduated from Capital University Law School in 1976. David is a member of the Board of Directors of the Associated Press, the PAGE buying cooperative, the American Press Institute, and the Newspaper Association of America. He is the past president and chairman of the Inland Press Association. David is married with two children.

Mike Gugliotto - Chief Operating Officer.

Mike Gugliotto is Pioneer's vice president of operations. Prior to joining Pioneer, Mike was vice president and general manager of the Longmont, Colorado Daily Times-Call. Mike is a member of the advisory committee of the University of Washington School of Communications, on committees for the Newspaper Association of America and the Inland Press Association and on the Board of Directors for Certified Audit of Circulation.

Jeffrey Hood - Chief Financial Officer.

Jeff Hood is Pioneer's chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary. Before joining Pioneer, Jeff was the CFO of Sierra Energy, a California-based oil, gas and real estate holding company. He has over twenty years' experience in the media business, including twelve years as director of audit, tax and corporate information systems at The McClatchy Co. Jeff currently serves as the vice-president of International Newspaper Financial Executives. Jeff and his wife Elizabeth have three children.