WEHCO News

Betty Chatham named new general manager of El Dorado News-Times
Original article published in The News-Times

El Dorado, Arkansas -- Nov. 16, 2006 -- Betty Chatham has been named general manager of the El Dorado News-Times, effective Dec. 4, Palmer Newspapers Vice President Maurice "Buddy" King announced Nov. 15.

Chatham will replace Nat Lea, who will assume the position of general manager of the Sentinel-Record in Hot Springs, effective Dec. 4. Lea will replace Floyd Emerson, a 53-year employee of the Sentinel-Record.

Chatham has worked for the Palmer Newspapers for 30 years and has been the general manager of the Banner-News of Magnolia for the past 11 years. She was previously the advertising manager of the News-Times.

"I'm coming home," said Chatham, who is an El Dorado native. "I look forward to returning to the newspaper where my career began."

Chatham is a board member of the Arkansas Press Association Newspaper Foundation, a past board member of the Columbia County United Way and has volunteered for the Magnolia Blossom Festival. She is also a graduate of Leadership Magnolia and a member of Antioch East Baptist Church in Magnolia. Her family includes her husband, Gary; her daughters and son-in-laws, Christie and Joe McFadden and Kayla and Brandon Allen and grandson, Christopher Smith.

Lea said that he looked forward to the opportunity to work in Hot Springs, but that he would miss the relationships he and his wife, Neal, have developed in El Dorado.

"We have been overwhelmed by the hospitality people have shown us since we came to town," he said. "We'll always value the friendships we made here."