The Ironton Tribune has a new publisher, Joe Imel, who has spent nearly four decades in journalism.

“I am excited to be named publisher of the Frankfort State Journal and The Ironton Tribune as well as a regional publisher,” Imel said. 

“Carpenter Media Group has a strong presence in Kentucky and across the border in Tennessee and Ohio. All of our papers have a deep-rooted history within their towns. Many have been around for generations, telling the stories of the community’s growth, struggles, and triumphs.”

Imel is the regional publisher of The Ironton Tribune, the Bowling Green Daily News, Frankfort State Journal, Danville Advocate-Messenger, Winchester Sun, Jessamine Journal, Interior Journal, Middlesboro News, Harlan Enterprise and the Claiborne Progress. 

He began his journalism career 38 years ago in rural Kentucky and rose through the newsroom ranks at the Daily News as chief photographer, photo editor, assistant managing editor, director of digital operations, general manager of WDNZ-TV, a low-power TV station, and general manager of the paper. 

Imel studied photojournalism at Western Kentucky University. 

“My colleagues and I will continue to work hard to make them the best news sources they can be for our subscribers, readers and business partners,” Imel said.

Carpenter Media Group, based in Natchez, Mississippi, owns and operates more than 250 community papers in the U.S. and Canada. 

He is an award-winning photographer that continues to pick up his cameras when he is not listening to the police scanner and tweeting to more than 81,000 followers. He and his wife, Tracy, reside in Bowling Green.