What Happened?

About the Company

Based in Mishawaka, Indiana, Schurz Communications, Inc. is a diversified privately-owned, nationwide communications company. The company publishes eleven daily and eight weekly newspapers in medium and small markets with a combined circulation of nearly 225,000. It also has ten television stations, owns thirteen radio stations and operates three others, owns four cable companies, and a phone directory. Geographically, Schurz Communications has a presence in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia and Wyoming. It all began in 1872 when Alfred B. Miller and Elmer Crockett founded the South Bend, Ind. Tribune. The Tribune is still the flag-ship property and family members have held editor and publisher positions at the newspaper for five generations. Schurz Communications newspapers have a long tradition of editorial excellence, technical innovation and a commitment to the highest standards for quality and excellence in journalism. The company emerged as a broadcast pioneer in 1922 with the launching of WGAZ radio (now WSBT) in South Bend. WSBT television began broadcasting in 1952. Schurz Communications broadcast companies are leaders in their markets. The first property acquisition was the Herald-Mail in Hagerstown, Md. in 1960. Antietam Cable TV in Hagerstown was acquired in 1968. The first television acquisition was WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, Va. in 1969. It moved into the commercial printing business in 2000 with the acquisition of Miller Rainbow Printing in Bedford, Indiana. Schurz Communications, Inc. is a Mishawaka based news and information company, which consists of seven business segments: Broadcasting Radio, Broadcasting TV, Cable TV, Newspaper Publishing and Digital Media. Our corporate executives and management personnel are: Franklin D. Schurz, Jr., Chairman and Director, Scott C. Schurz, Sr., Vice Chairman and Director, Todd F. Schurz, President and CEO and Director, David Ray, Vice President and Director, Scott C. Schurz, Director, Gary N. Hoipkemier, Senior Vice President and CFO, Marci Burdick, Senior Vice President – Electronic, Kerry Oslund, Senior Vice President – Publishing and Emerging Media, Cory Bollinger, Vice President of Publishing, Michelle Wright, Vice President of Information Technology, JB Ozuna, Vice President of Digital, Scott Schurz Jr., Vice President of Corporate Development, Charles D. Lynds, Director of Strategic Marketing, Gesumino A. Agostino, Vice President and Corporate Controller, Melissa Lock, Director of Human Resources, Sean Miller, HR Operations Manager, and Carol Shultz, Financial Shared Services Manager. Our companies put great emphasis on seeking the truth and sharing it with others. Our purpose is to provide a better understanding of the world, so that our readers, viewers and users are more informed and can positively impact our communities and society.

About the Person

Michelle joined Schurz Communications in 2012 as Director of Project Management and quickly began her management of the publishing systems replacement projects as well as the construction of the new KTUU station for Northern Lights Media in Alaska.  On May 13, 2013 Michelle was named Vice President of Information Technology. Michelle came to Schurz from CUNA Mutual Insurance where she was Senior Consultant responsible for delivery of corporate business and IT process improvement efforts.  Previously Ms. Wright held roles as IT Planning and Programs Director for The University of Notre Dame and Senior Manager at Whirlpool Corporation.   Michelle spent the majority of her career at Liberty Mutual Insurance where she managed a staff of developers and technologists in support of five U.S. call center sites and was responsible for desktop support, application development, data center management, and procurement of call center technology. Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of New Mexico and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Technology Management from Walden University.  She holds certifications in IT Management (ITIL), Change Management, Executive Leadership, and is a Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt).