GM assumes Defender’s helm
http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/1256/1/GM-assumes-Defenders-helm/Page1.html
By Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Published on 06/14/2007
Now in its 55th year of publication, the Tri-State Defender is taking on a new look, a new feel, and now, a new face.
Phyllis Fickling, proprietor of Fickling Consulting, is the publication’s newly appointed general manager. Although new to the top administrative post of TSD, Fickling is not new to the company.
She was brought in as a consultant to work along side Melvin Jones, the former publisher brought in June 2006 to run the paper’s operations. Jones is the founder and publisher of Proud Magazine and the Black Business Directory (BBD).
“I came on to assist with some administrative functions and to update policies and procedures in office operations,” said Fickling. “Melvin was very helpful in guiding me and helping me understand the editorial aspect. From the very first, his tenure was temporary.
“I knew that his passion would lead him back to the BBD/Proud enterprise,” said Fickling. “But my being offered the general manager’s position was both an honor and surprise because I knew I had to fit some big shoes. My transition in this new capacity was actually June 1.”
Real Times, Inc. CEO Hiram Jackson expressed a bright and hopeful outlook for the future of the Tri-State Defender.
“We are very proud of our publishing history. Two of the Real Times papers are over a century old,” said Jackson. “What we want to do to build on that distinctive and historic legacy. Melvin Jones did so much to update our editorial operations, and we are confident that Phyllis will take us even further along in 21st-century publication.
“We want Memphis and the Mid-South to know that we are alive and well, and we are planning a diversified strategy of change and improvement – in editorial content, our website capability, and our interactive reach into the community. The Tri-State Defender will continue to be a strong and significant force in the African-American community.”
Real Times, Inc. owns five newspapers: The Chicago Defender, The Tri-State Defender, The Michigan Chronicle, The New Pittsburgh Courier, and the Michigan Front Page. All are published from an African-American perspective.
Fickling brings to the organization a wealth of credentials and experience worthy of any Fortune-500 executive. She earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Winthrop University and continued graduate studies at the University of North Florida in Business Administration.
However, graduate studies were completed at the University of Memphis School of Urban and Public Policy While working on her degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, Fickling’s GPA was nearly a perfect 4.0, earning her a fellowship as a Tennessee Board of Regents Geier Scholar. In addition, she is equipped with extensive accounting and finance operations experience.
An impressive portfolio of consulting clients spans throughout the country in Tennessee, Georgia, New York, California, comprised of churches, national nonprofit organizations, corporate entities of all sizes, and individuals.
Prior to establishing the flourishing consulting business, Fickling worked in an expansive variety of job capacities, including business development manager, controller, project manager, COO, and CFO.
Now in its 55th year of publication, the Tri-State Defender is taking on a new look, a new feel, and now, a new face...
GM assumes Defender’s helm
 |
| Phyllis Fickling |
Phyllis Fickling, proprietor of Fickling Consulting, is the publication’s newly appointed general manager. Although new to the top administrative post of TSD, Fickling is not new to the company.
She was brought in as a consultant to work along side Melvin Jones, the former publisher brought in June 2006 to run the paper’s operations. Jones is the founder and publisher of Proud Magazine and the Black Business Directory (BBD).
“I came on to assist with some administrative functions and to update policies and procedures in office operations,” said Fickling. “Melvin was very helpful in guiding me and helping me understand the editorial aspect. From the very first, his tenure was temporary.
“I knew that his passion would lead him back to the BBD/Proud enterprise,” said Fickling. “But my being offered the general manager’s position was both an honor and surprise because I knew I had to fit some big shoes. My transition in this new capacity was actually June 1.”
Real Times, Inc. CEO Hiram Jackson expressed a bright and hopeful outlook for the future of the Tri-State Defender.
“We are very proud of our publishing history. Two of the Real Times papers are over a century old,” said Jackson. “What we want to do to build on that distinctive and historic legacy. Melvin Jones did so much to update our editorial operations, and we are confident that Phyllis will take us even further along in 21st-century publication.
“We want Memphis and the Mid-South to know that we are alive and well, and we are planning a diversified strategy of change and improvement – in editorial content, our website capability, and our interactive reach into the community. The Tri-State Defender will continue to be a strong and significant force in the African-American community.”
Real Times, Inc. owns five newspapers: The Chicago Defender, The Tri-State Defender, The Michigan Chronicle, The New Pittsburgh Courier, and the Michigan Front Page. All are published from an African-American perspective.
Fickling brings to the organization a wealth of credentials and experience worthy of any Fortune-500 executive. She earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Winthrop University and continued graduate studies at the University of North Florida in Business Administration.
However, graduate studies were completed at the University of Memphis School of Urban and Public Policy While working on her degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, Fickling’s GPA was nearly a perfect 4.0, earning her a fellowship as a Tennessee Board of Regents Geier Scholar. In addition, she is equipped with extensive accounting and finance operations experience.
An impressive portfolio of consulting clients spans throughout the country in Tennessee, Georgia, New York, California, comprised of churches, national nonprofit organizations, corporate entities of all sizes, and individuals.
Prior to establishing the flourishing consulting business, Fickling worked in an expansive variety of job capacities, including business development manager, controller, project manager, COO, and CFO.