Forward Janesville - TheReport - Third Quarter 2021

I didn’t set out to run and own a newspaper. After graduating with a social work degree, I got a job working for a federal program for young people. I was attending my father’s swearing in ceremony, when my father became ill and ultimately needed carotid artery surgery, which was a big deal in those days. He survived, but my mother needed help at the paper. I had no idea where that would lead. This is our family’s 70th anniversary publishing the Edgerton Reporter. We have been so busy celebrating others’ anniversaries we haven’t yet begun ours! I am so thankful to my parents for this opportunity, and to our community for their support. They always said, “you can’t have a successful paper without a successful community and vice versa.” My work serving various national groups led to marvelous experiences. I went to Switzerland with Governor Thompson to help raise money for the Swiss American Center in New Glarus. As an officer of various boards, I was able to visit Egypt, China, Japan, New Zealand, and Europe. HOW DID I GET HERE? s u c c e s s • c h a l l e n g e s • l i f e l e s s o n s • e d u c a t i o n • c a r e e r • f a m i l y • i n s p i r a t i o n s Optimism is something that I deeply value. My dad used to say, “when you are flat on your back the only way to look is up.” Ultimately, we get what we expect. Expect things to work out and go as far as you can—when you get there, you will see farther. That’s the key to success. 1 2 3 I grew up in the newspaper business. My parents bought the paper in 1951. They taught me everything I needed to know. They fashioned a course for me so that I would learn every job—sales, writing, managing employees and payroll, everything. They were remarkable people. It’s an incredible honor to carry on their legacy. When I’m not working, I like to read and write for myself, even though I do quite a bit of that in my day job! I also picked up cooking somewhere along the way. I love that cooking offers such immediate results. It is very satisfying. I love my work. Every day is so interesting—it’s a fascinating way to make a living. It is extremely challenging for small papers, always has been, but so very necessary. We are the watchdog of local government, commissions, agencies, and the schools. We protect the public’s right to know and insist on transparency. • { LIFE LESSONS } I have been very fortunate in my work. I was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Newspaper Association (NNA) early on—the first woman from our midwestern region. It was a tremendous opportunity. In 2000, I became the second female President of NNA, the largest press association in the country, even though I was one of its smallest publishers. It gave me the opportunity to travel quite a bit, which I loved. DIANE EVERSON PUBLISHER AND MAJOR SHAREHOLDER EDGERTON REPORTER Show enthusiasm. People love to be around people that are enthusiastic. It’s infectious. Enthusiasm helps others understand your passion for what you do. . In both work and life in general, I’ve learned the importance of persistence. In the newspaper business, especially running a small community paper, things are not always easy. It is always changing. You can’t give up. Persistence pays off. • • { EDUCATION } Social Work Carroll College, Waukesha, WI { WORK EXPERIENCE } JANUARY 1992-PRESENT Publisher and Major Shareholder The Edgerton Reporter Edgerton, WI January 1978-Present Tourism Advertising Sales and Publishing The Lakes Edition Lake Koshkonong area, WI 2006-Present Co-founder Sterling North Book and Film Festival Edgerton, WI