By Bill Derby
Derby Publishing, LLC, today announced two executive appointments in the growing media and marketing company. Jeff Derby will assume the role of vice president and co-publisher of the Johnson City News & Neighbor, Johnson City News (subscriber edition) and The Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia. Jeff Williams has been named director of business development and marketing for all three publications as well.
Derby will be responsible for overseeing all publishing operations working closely with Williams in developing new publishing initiatives, growth strategies, and marketing technology expansion to support the company’s focus on driving innovation.
“Both Jeff Williams’ and Jeff Derby’s experience in taking a strategic vision and executing that vision brings a fresh approach to our 18 year-old community newspaper and the Business Journal’s 26-year history of excellence in journalism,” publisher Bill Derby said. We have a talented team including our editorial staff, advertising and marketing staff, graphic artists and designers and distribution. These promotions add to our commitment to our readers and advertisers to give them the best publications and products available in each market we serve. I can’t think of two people who are better suited to develop a team to guide our company into the future.”
Both Williams and Derby have extensive resumes in business and publishing and have played key roles in both publications’ growth. Both are also committed to community service. Jeff Derby is on the board of a number of community organizations including: Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau; Children’s Advocacy Center of the First Judicial District; Dawn of Hope; and United Way.
Along with his past three years with the Business Journal, Williams brings 20-plus years’ experience in financial and mortgage banking skills along with his ability to communicate on the highest business level.
His community commitment includes tenure on the ETSU Roan Scholars Regional Selection Committee; Summit Leadership Foundation, Connections Committee; Past President Tri-Cities Mortgage Bankers Association; and Worship Team Christ Fellowship Church, Kingsport. In addition, Williams represents the Business Journal as members in the Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol Chambers of Commerce.
The Johnson City News & Neighbor is a multi-award winning community newspaper on the national level and Canada having won top awards for the previous two years and a five-time General Excellence Award winner in the 13-state Southeastern Advertising Publishers Association. The paper is a member of the Independent Free Papers of America, Association of Free Community Papers and the Southeastern Advertisers Publishers Association. The Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia has also recently applied for membership in the Association of Area Business Publications exclusive top business magazine association in America.
