New publisher named for Tahoe Tribune

Gail Powell-Acosta, regional advertising director of Sierra Nevada Media Group, has been named publisher of the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

The Friday announcement came two weeks after Paul Middlebrook left the publisher position after more than two years to focus on his new duties as general manager/director of sales for Tahoe.com and Reno.com.

Heads of Swift Newspapers and Sierra Nevada Media Group, a string of seven papers among the Sierra that include publications such as the Tribune and Nevada Appeal, praised the announcement.

"Gail is an exciting addition to the Tahoe Daily Tribune," Arne Hoel, chief executive officer for Reno-based Swift Newspapers, stated in an e-mail. "Her energy and passion for the business is infectious, and she is the perfect publisher to lead our newspaper team during these changing times. The South Lake Tahoe and Stateline markets are geared for growth. The Tahoe Daily Tribune print and Web will be an integral component of the market's success."

Bob Brown, chief operating officer of Swift Newspapers, had similar words.

"With all the opportunity available in the South Lake Tahoe market, I couldn't be more enthusiastic with Gail's acceptance to take the reins at the (Tahoe Daily) Tribune," Brown stated in an e-mail.

Born and raised in New York, Powell-Acosta earned degrees in fashion and business before beginning her work on the sales side of newspapers 12 years ago with the Reno Gazette-Journal. She spent five years with the paper before spending the last seven at the Nevada Appeal.

Powell-Acosta said she's looking forward to forming bonds with the community.

"It's like everybody is your neighbor up here," she said.

John DiMambro, publisher of the Nevada Appeal and general manager of Sierra Nevada Media Group, said Powell-Acosta will bring enthusiasm and dedication to the publisher position.

"Gail is going to make a big difference," DiMambro said. "She's made a big difference in the community in Carson City. She's heavily involved with employees, advertisers and readers."

Powell-Acosta said she has no immediate plans to implement at the Tribune. She expects to be at her new post in three weeks and is working to sell her house in Reno and move to South Lake Tahoe.

Asked if she can handle Tahoe winters, she brushed the question away.

"I was born in upstate New York so I'm no stranger to snow," she said.