Sharon McGinnis |
Vice President of Human Resources
Ottaway in Campbell Hall, N.Y. |
In the game of poker she loves to play, Sharon McGinnis, vice president of human resources for Ottaway, the Local Media Group of Dow Jones & Co., knows that success is derived not solely from intellect but also from intuition. She brings a winning combination of each to the table—whether the union negotiating table, the training table or the conference room table.
During more than seven years as director of human resources for the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y., McGinnis twice volunteered to assume human resources responsibilities at other Ottaway newspapers until those positions could be filled.
McGinnis, 39, stepped out of her comfort zone in 2006 and assumed the role of the Times Herald-Record’s classified advertising manager until that position was filled. During the nine-month assignment, she went on sales calls and helped to launch several online classified products.
“It was a huge opportunity to learn as much as I can about the business I am supporting,” McGinnis says.
Her gamble has paid off. In the fall, McGinnis was promoted to vice president of human resources for parent company Ottaway.
Before joining the Times Herald-Record, McGinnis was an assistant vice president of human resources for an insurance company. The opportunity to work in the newspaper industry “was too good to pass up,” she says, adding that she is struck by the “passion” newspaper employees bring to their work.
At the Times Herald-Record, she earned their trust by creating a more accessible human resources department, shadowing employees in every department and attending editorial meetings. She also negotiated three contracts with the union representing editorial and circulation employees.
“She manages the human resources function under the belief that the more human resources fully understands the newspaper business, the more effective it will be,” says Joe Vanderhoof, president and publisher of the Times Herald-Record.
Connections: Ottaway, 97 Route 416, P.O. Box 401, Campbell Hall, N.Y. 10916, (845) 346-3111, smcginnis@ottaway.com
By Teddi Dineley Johnson