Meet Our Team - Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association

The PNA, PNA Foundation and MANSI Media staffs take pride in serving our valued members with dedication and enthusiasm.

Whether you have questions, need guidance, or seek support, our knowledgeable and friendly team is here for you. Our commitment goes beyond providing a service. Your success is our priority, and we are eager to be of assistance.

Executive Team

Bill Cotter

President & CEO

717-703-3076 · billc@pa-news.org

_{William Cotter is president and CEO of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. He leads the organization’s efforts to support our membership through legislative advocacy, expert resources, and industrywide training. Bill’s passion and enthusiasm for the news media industry spans a 35-year career of advertising and sales leadership experiences with Pennsylvania-member organizations.}

_{Bill earned a B.S. degree in communications from Clarion University and is happily married to Jeanne for 36 years. They have three children and four grandchildren. In his free time, Bill likes to work in the garden, golf, fish, and root for his Pittsburgh sports teams.}

Diane Brinser

Vice President, Finance

717-703-3064 · dianeb@pa-news.org

_{Diane Brinser is vice president of finance for PNA, PNA Foundation and MANSI Media. She completes all the tasks that lead up to the preparation of the monthly financial reports. In addition, Diane processes payroll and performs internal human resources responsibilities.}

_{Diane earned a B.S. degree in business education from Shippensburg University. In her free time, she enjoys watching her children participate in their various sports and musical activities.}

Bob Schnarrs

Vice President, Operations

717-703-3059 · bobs@mansimedia.com

_{Bob Schnarrs is vice president of operations for PNA and MANSI Media. He oversees the daily operations of both organizations, including data research, implementation, fulfillment, and billing for MANSI Media, our leading print and digital advertising placement agency that serves local, regional and national clients. On behalf of the association, he manages our member data and information, and maintains relationships with newspaper publishers and clients across the country.}

_{Bob earned a B.A. degree in economics from Dickinson College and played on the college’s football team. He spends his free time following Penn State and Big Ten field hockey.}

Tanya Henderson

Executive Director, PNA Foundation

717-703-3002 · tanyah@pa-news.org

_{Tanya Henderson is executive director of the PNA Foundation. With more than 25 years in news media, Tanya’s resume includes three daily newspapers: Lancaster Newspapers, The Grand Rapids Press and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, including a corporate role at Media General. In addition, her experience includes supporting news media working at a national trade association and with technology vendors in the media space.}

_{Tanya graduated with a B.A. from Lock Haven University and was awarded The Rebecca Gross Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievements in Journalism and Mass Communications. She resides in Lancaster with her husband and their cat Noosa. She enjoys cooking and golf.}

Jane Hungarter

Director, Marketing & Membership

717-703-3041 · janeh@pa-news.org

_{Jane Hungarter is director of marketing and membership for PNA and MANSI Media. She produces research-based materials that highlight the benefits of news media products, provides member and client training on advertising-related topics, and develops statewide marketing campaigns that educate key stakeholders about the crucial and essential work being done by Pennsylvania news media organizations. In addition, Jane meets with PNA members to gain a better understanding of their needs and works with her colleagues to develop initiatives to ensure their success.}

_{Jane earned a B.A. degree in communications from Susquehanna University and an MBA from West Chester University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and listening to Bruce Springsteen.}

Melissa Bevan Melewsky

Media Law Counsel

717-703-3048 · melissam@pa-news.org

_{Melissa Bevan Melewsky is PNA media law counsel. She offers advice and training on legal issues, including open meetings and public records laws; newsgathering and the First Amendment; defamation and invasion of privacy; advertising compliance; independent contractor issues; local government codes; and intellectual property. Melissa advises journalists on open records requests and appeals at all stages of the process and conducts pre-publication reviews of news, editorial and advertising content. She reviews proposed legislation and drafts responsive amendatory language, offers expert testimony during legislative proceedings, and provides the media perspective to lawmakers during all phases of the legislative process. Melissa also represents the print and digital media industries during the administrative regulatory process and in response to proposed court rules, and advocates on behalf of the media industry as amicus curiae in the Pennsylvania appellate courts.}

_{Melissa earned a B.A. degree in telecommunications from The Pennsylvania State University and a J.D. degree from Widener University School of Law. Melissa is admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania state courts and the Middle District Court of Pennsylvania.}

Jan Murphy

Director, Government Affairs

717-703-3031 · janm@pa-news.org

_{Jan Murphy is director of government affairs for PNA and advocate for the news media industry at the Pennsylvania Capitol, fighting for the First Amendment, government transparency and accountability as well as accessibility, and robust local journalism.}

_{She is a graduate of Ball State University where she earned a journalism degree. Her four decades long career in working at news media outlets began in Indiana working for the Frankfort times before returning to her home state of Pennsylvania. She has won many journalism awards from her years spent working at The Sentinel in Carlisle, The Montgomery County Record/The Intelligencer in Doylestown and The Patriot-News/PennLive where she covered state government for over two decades. Her interests include spending time with family and friends, football (especially Philadelphia Eagles and Penn State Nittany Lions in true Central PA fashion), reading, exercising, traveling, and hanging out by her pool.}

John Derr

Director, MANSI Media Sales and PNA Strategic Partnerships

717-703-3074 · johnd@mansimedia.com

_{John Derr is director of MANSI Media Sales and PNA Strategic Partnerships. In this dual capacity, he works to increase revenue and discover new sources of income for member news organizations. John began his newspaper career at Montgomery Media in 1989 and remained there until 2000. From 2000 to 2018, John worked for LNP|LancasterOnline, the last eight years as vice president of sales and marketing. From 2018 until 2023, John was the publisher of the Chestnut Hill Local in Philadelphia.}

_{John earned a B.A. degree in communications from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. In his free time he enjoys rooting for the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia Eagles. He and his wife, Sue, have four children and reside in Lancaster. John is the author of the novel, “Another Christmas Carol,” a modern sequel to the Charles Dickens classic, set in Pennsylvania.}

PNA Legal Team

Melissa Bevan Melewsky

Media Law Counsel

717-703-3048 · melissam@pa-news.org

Jan Murphy

Director, Government Affairs

717-703-3031 · janm@pa-news.org

Catie Gavenonis

Legislative Counsel

717-703-3082 · catieg@pa-news.org

_{Catie Gavenonis is the legislative counsel for PNA. She monitors, analyzes, and researches legislation impacting Pennsylvania’s news media organizations. Catie drafts PNA’s amendatory language, assists in developing advocacy strategies, and champions our members’ legislative interests. She also runs our legal intern program, which provides crucial assistance in our advocacy efforts.}

_{Catie earned a B.A. degree in American politics and European history from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. degree from Boston University School of Law. In her free time, she enjoys the beach, barre, painting, and spending quality time with her husband and young twins.}

Barbara Hough Huesken

Consultant, Legislative Affairs

717-703-3031 · barbarah@pa-news.org

_{Barbara Hough Huesken is consultant, legislative affairs for PNA. At the Pennsylvania State Capitol, she advocates for legislation that champions the news media industry, the First Amendment, robust local journalism, and transparent and accessible government.}

_{She graduated from Elmhurst University in Illinois with a B.A. degree in political science and attended American University in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining PNA, she was a journalist at LNP | LancasterOnline where she held several reporting and editing positions before becoming executive editor. She is a lover of history, traveling, and anything that has even a remote connection to Major League Baseball.}

Holly Lubart

Legislative Consultant

717-385-0900 · holly@sunshinestrategies.net

_{Holly Lubart is a government affairs consultant for PNA and Vice President, Government Affairs, for the News/Media Alliance, which represents over 2,000 diverse news and magazine publishers in the United States. She provides strategic political and communication consulting and assists in the review of legislation, media content, and lobbying services for PNA.}

_{Holly holds a BA degree in Communication/Journalism from Shippensburg University, where she served on the Alumni Board of Directors for two terms, and she started her career as a journalist. Previously, she was VP of Government Affairs for PNA. In addition, she has worked for the PA House of Representatives, served in two gubernatorial administrations, and represented several associations. With over 25 years of experience, she has won awards for her work in Government Affairs/Advocacy, Communications, and Meetings/Events/Education.}

Paula Knudsen Burke

Legal Consultant

717-370-6884 · pknudsen@rcfp.org

_{Paula Knudsen Burke is a pro bono attorney who supports PNA members and other journalists. She is the Pennsylvania Local Legal Initiative staff attorney for the Washington, D.C.-based Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Paula has worked in both the legal and media fields. In 2017, she helped launch The Caucus, a watchdog publication covering state government and politics. She also led the investigations and enterprise team as an editor at LNP Media Group Inc. in Lancaster. Paula previously worked as PNA’s director of government affairs.}

_{A graduate of the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University, she also received her undergraduate degrees from The Pennsylvania State University, in both journalism and Spanish. Paula is co-chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Bar/Press Committee and a member of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition.}

PNA Staff

Chris Hagan

Network Administrator

717-703-3508 · chrish@pa-news.org

_{Chris Hagan is the network administrator for PNA. He manages the information technology infrastructure for the organization.}

_{Chris is a tech enthusiast with over 15 years experience, a philomath (a lover of learning), and an enthusiastic problem-solver. In his free time, you will find him reading documentation, enjoying Grand Prix motorcycle racing, delving into genealogy, growing hot peppers, and spending time with friends and family.}

Teresa Shaak

Senior Manager, PNA and PNA Foundation Services

717-703-3003 · teresas@pa-news.org

_{Teresa Shaak is senior manager of PNA and PNA Foundation services. She coordinates all Foundation contests, student projects, training, events and assists with fundraising efforts. Teresa is also the staff liaison to the Pennsylvania News Leaders Association (PNLA) and assists with PNA legislative affairs initiatives and many other PNA projects.}

_{In her free time, Teresa enjoys reading, watching sports, practicing yoga, spending quality time with her beloved dog, and visiting her daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and grandpuppy in western Pennsylvania.}

MANSI Media Staff

John Derr

Director, MANSI Media Sales and PNA Strategic Partnerships

717-703-3074 · johnd@mansimedia.com

Brian Hitchings

Senior Director of Multimedia Sales

717-703-3049 · brianh@mansimedia.com

_{Brian Hitchings is a senior multimedia sales specialist for MANSI Media. He works with advertisers, agencies, media buying services, and direct clients to facilitate their print and digital ad placements across Pennsylvania and the entire country.}

_{Brian earned a B.A. degree in economics from Bucknell University. In his free time, he enjoys golf and all things water-related in Ocean City, New Jersey.}

Aimee Eckley

Senior Digital and Recruitment Specialist

717-703-3021 · aimeee@mansimedia.com

_{Aimee Eckley is a senior digital and recruitment sales specialist for MANSI Media. With more than 20 years of advertising experience, she maximizes ad budgets and simplifies the buying process for advertisers, agencies, and direct clients for digital ad placements across Pennsylvania and the country.}

_{In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, polar plunges, and spending time with her family.}

Nick Wenger

Director of Media Operations

717-703-3047 · nickw@mansimedia.com

_{Nick Wenger is the director of media operations for MANSI Media. He manages a team of media buyers who place ads across the country while providing a strategic approach to help optimize budgets, negotiate deals, and drive impactful advertising campaigns.}

_{Nick earned a B.A. degree in sports management/business from Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland. He spends his free time at the hockey rink playing or coaching his son.}

Morgan Edge

Digital Media Manager

717-703-3069 · morgane@mansimedia.com

_{Morgan Edge is the digital media manager for MANSI Media. She strategizes and executes programmatic and site-direct digital media campaigns, and develops strategies that improve brand awareness, engagement, and sales for clients.}

_{Morgan earned a B.A. degree in business marketing/management from The Pennsylvania State University. In her free time, she likes to hike, play sports, and draw.}

Gillian Gurney

Graphic Designer

717-703-3071 · gilliang@mansimedia.com

_{Gillian Gurney is a graphic designer for MANSI Media. She designs advertisements for clients in-house, shoots, edits, and designs videos, and develops wireframes for websites to increase UX/UI for potential clients.}

_{Gillian earned a BDES degree in Interactive and Graphic Design from Millersville University. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, Dungeons & Dragons, drawing, and writing stories. She’s working hard to create and illustrate her comic.}

Chris Kazlauskas

Client Relations Consultant & Marketing Coordinator

717-703-3025 · chrisk@mansimedia.com

_{Chris Kazlauskas is a client relations consultant for MANSI Media. He manages print and digital media placements on behalf of MANSI Media’s clients in news media properties across the U.S. With 25-plus years at MANSI, Chris uses his in-depth knowledge of the newspaper industry, along with his strong relationships with news media reps, to provide clients with unparalleled service.}

_{Chris earned a B.A. degree in communications from the University of Scranton. Music is his go-to choice for a relaxing evening at home. If not spending quality time in Harrisburg with family and friends, you can find him traveling and exploring the mid-Atlantic, from the historic bastions of Philly, D.C., and Gettysburg to the great wine vineyards of the New York Finger Lakes region.}

Shannon Mohar

Client Relations Consultant & Foundation Projects Associate

717-703-3053 · shannonm@mansimedia.com

_{Shannon Mohar is a client relations consultant for MANSI Media. She works closely with her clients to ensure the success of their advertising campaigns. Shannon identifies the best media mix to reach the target audience and manages the details of the buy from start to finish.}

_{Shannon earned a B.A. degree in communications from Towson University in Maryland. She enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family.}

Trystan Osifat

Media Buyer

717-703-3057 · trystano@mansimedia.com

_{Trystan Osifat is a media buyer for MANSI Media. He helps clients plan and execute effective advertising campaigns across various media outlets and negotiates with media vendors to secure the best rates and placements to match their needs.}

_{Trystan earned a BSBA degree in marketing from Shippensburg University. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and working in his garden.}

Joshua Sooy

Media Buyer

717-703-3040 · joshs@mansimedia.com

_{Josh Sooy is a media buyer for MANSI Media. He collects tear sheets and affidavits on behalf of MANSI clients to ensure that all advertising placements were run correctly.}

_{Josh holds a B.S. in business administration from Central Penn College and is studying for his MBA at Ashland University in Ohio. In his free time, he enjoys kayaking, tubing, reading, spending time with family and friends, and attending concerts.}

Jolene Harbold

Media Buyer

717-703-3009 · joleneh@mansimedia.com

_{Jolene Harbold is a media buyer for MANSI Media. She helps clients place orders and confirms that all advertisements run properly.}

_{Jolene earned a BSBA in marketing from Kutztown University. In her free time, she enjoys painting, DIY projects, and spending time with family and friends.}

Lauren Witmer

Accounts Receivable Representative

717-703-3060 · laurenw@mansimedia.com

_{Lauren Witmer is an accounts receivable representative for MANSI Media. She maintains records of all incoming payments, prepares and sends invoices to clients, processes outgoing payments, generates reports as needed, and works collaboratively with accounts payable to ensure accuracy in finance.}

_{Lauren earned a B.S. degree in marketing and management and a minor in human resources from The Pennsylvania State University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, yoga, and watching football.}

Lisa DiVittore

Accounts Payable Representative

717-703-3026 · lisad@pa-news.org

_{Lisa DiVittore is an accounts payable representative for MANSI Media. She verifies, classifies, and records accounts payable data, investigates discrepancies, and reconciles vendor accounts and monthly vendor statements. She also assists PNA by providing press passes to members and updating the association-sponsored Pennsylvania Public Notice website.}

_{Lisa earned a B.S. degree in public policy from The Pennsylvania State University. In her free time, she pursues her avocation as a Reiki Master/Teacher and psychic medium. She also enjoys painting, and spending time at her cabin in the Pocono Mountains.}