A name familiar to Free Press readers is back in charge of the Kinston newspaper.
Vernon DeBolt, the paper’s publisher from 1997-2000, was named The Free Press publisher Wednesday.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my previous tenure and the people here in the community,” DeBolt said. “This is one of the main reasons my family chose to move back to Eastern North Carolina when the opportunity arose.”
DeBolt, who was previously the regional publisher for Halifax Media Group’s ENC papers, now takes on the role of publisher of The Free Press and The Sun Journal of New Bern as part of the company’s realignment effort in ENC. He will also continue to oversee the Halifax ENC call centers, its information technology departments and digital efforts.
DeBolt said he’s excited to be back in the Lenoir County, Greene County and Jones County communities The Free Press serves. In his first tour of duty in the area, DeBolt was involved with the Boys and Girls Club, the Lenoir/Greene United Way, Rotary and the Economic Development Foundation.
DeBolt also led The Free Press during Hurricane Floyd — which resulted in the paper winning the prestigious Freedom Award of Excellence for The Free Press’ coverage of that hurricane and its aftermath.
“I’m looking forward to getting involved in the community again,” DeBolt said.
DeBolt replaces Patrick Holmes, who was previously the publisher and editor of The Free Press. Holmes was also the regional editor for Halifax Media Group newspapers in Kinston and New Bern before Wednesday’s announcement.
Holmes held a variety of leadership positions within The Free Press since arriving in Kinston in 2001. Like DeBolt, Holmes was also intimately involved in the Lenoir County community; he served as president of the Boys and Girls Club, president of the Lenoir/Greene United Way Board of Directors and was an active member of the Kinston Noon Rotary Club, among many other community positions.
“I enjoyed my time at the helm of The Free Press and made a lot of friends there,” Holmes said. “After 45 years in the newspaper business, I look forward to exploring new opportunities and spending more time with my family.”
Bryan C. Hanks can be reached at 252-559-1074 or at Bryan.Hanks@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at BCHanks.
