Texas Daily Newspaper Association

Pat Taggart Award

Jeff DeLoach Named Texas Newspaper Leader of the Year

San Angelo Standard-Times Publisher Jeff DeLoach was named the 2011 winner of the Pat Taggart Award For Newspaper Leader of the Year by the Texas Daily Newspaper Association during its Annual Meeting in Dallas.

DeLoach was given the award, one of the most prestigious honors among Texas newspapers, to recognize his community service and outstanding work with the Standard-Times. He was instrumental in turning around the newspaper’s fortunes after being named publisher in 2010.

Brenda Miller-Fergersen, TDNA board treasurer, said

"Jeff DeLoach perfectly emulates the standard of leadership and service for which Pat Taggart was known. He quickly made his mark on the Standard-Times and in the community, after taking the reigns in 2010 during a critical time. A previous publisher change, the impact of the recession on the newspaper’s revenue base, and moving the printing of the newspaper to Scripps’ sister newspaper in Abilene had employees of the Standard-Times, as well the larger community, doubting the future of its local newspaper. DeLoach stepped into this situation, faced a very tough rebuilding year in 2010 and began to turn things around in 2011. Through the hard work of DeLoach and his management team, the Standard-Times posted circulation growth both daily and Sunday in 2011 and the operation will post revenue growth for the year. As you know, these results are outstanding in the today's operating environment. To go along with the great results in the print product, the company's website, GoSanAngelo.com, was awarded the E&P magazine's EPPY Award for Best Daily Newspaper Site for websites between 250,000 and a million users. DeLoach has also been active in the community, supporting economic development efforts of the City of San Angelo and Chamber of Commerce and serving on the Rotary Club. The Standard-Times has also supported charity efforts and helped citizens by devoting special coverage to the drought during DeLoach’s tenure."

Taggart, who was president of TDNA in 1955, spent his entire career with the Fentress Newspapers before their purchase by Cox Enterprises. He began as a copy boy for the Waco News-Tribune, a forerunner of the Tribune-Herald, and went on to become president of Fentress Newspapers and publisher of their papers in Waco, Austin, Port Arthur and Lufkin.

During his career Taggart worked tirelessly to make the Tribune-Herald a strong voice for the heart of Texas and he contributed greatly to the growth and progress of the Waco community. Active in TDNA, SNPA, ANPA and other newspaper-related organizations, he served on numerous local and state service organizations.