Youngstown Press Club Board of Governors
President - Lori Factor, Potential Development
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Lori is Director of P-12 & Business Partnerships and Initiatives at Youngstown State University. A seasoned communications professional with over 30 years of experience in community engagement and public relations, Lori has dedicated much of her career to fostering connections between organizations and their audiences. She is a proud Youngstown State University graduate, where she earned a BSBA in Advertising/Public Relations. She held key leadership roles as Executive Director of the YSU Alumni Association and Director of the Performing Arts Series in the Cliffe College of Creative Arts. For 20 years, Lori directed the YSU Summer Festival of the Arts. A steadfast supporter of the area's arts and culture, Lori serves on several community boards and committees. Beyond her professional achievements, Lori takes great pride in her family. She and her husband reside in Canfield, and their adult children, both proud YSU graduates, continue the family’s strong connection to the university.
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Lori is Director of P-12 & Business Partnerships and Initiatives at Youngstown State University. A seasoned communications professional with over 30 years of experience in community engagement and public relations, Lori has dedicated much of her career to fostering connections between organizations and their audiences. She is a proud Youngstown State University graduate, where she earned a BSBA in Advertising/Public Relations. She held key leadership roles as Executive Director of the YSU Alumni Association and Director of the Performing Arts Series in the Cliffe College of Creative Arts. For 20 years, Lori directed the YSU Summer Festival of the Arts. A steadfast supporter of the area's arts and culture, Lori serves on several community boards and committees. Beyond her professional achievements, Lori takes great pride in her family. She and her husband reside in Canfield, and their adult children, both proud YSU graduates, continue the family’s strong connection to the university.
President-Elect - Elise Skolnick, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and the Jewish Journal
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Elise Skolnick is the director of communications & marketing for the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and its agencies. She’s also editor of the Jewish Journal, a publication of the Federation. Prior to that position, she was communications coordinator for the YWCA of Youngstown (now YWCA Mahoning Valley). She was a reporter for more than 20 years for various newspapers, including The Vindicator and The Business Journal, and wrote for Woman’s World Magazine. She’s also an award-winning photographer. She and her husband, David, have two daughters and two granddaughters.
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Elise Skolnick is the director of communications & marketing for the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and its agencies. She’s also editor of the Jewish Journal, a publication of the Federation. Prior to that position, she was communications coordinator for the YWCA of Youngstown (now YWCA Mahoning Valley). She was a reporter for more than 20 years for various newspapers, including The Vindicator and The Business Journal, and wrote for Woman’s World Magazine. She’s also an award-winning photographer. She and her husband, David, have two daughters and two granddaughters.
Secretary - Aundréa Cika Heschmeyer, Marquee Creatives
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Aundrea is responsible for strategic development, planning, crisis management, and general-public and media relations for a variety of nonprofit, entrepreneurial and corporate clients. She is particularly well-known for the creative special events she envisions and orchestrates to support these activities.
Starting out more than 30 years ago as a print and broadcast journalist/columnist/anchor, she writes, edits and monitors a wide variety of client communications while coaching and developing media skills in clients. Aundrea is an award-winning polka dancer and avid cultural evangelist who founded both the PolishYoungstown and Simply Slavic organizations.
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Aundrea is responsible for strategic development, planning, crisis management, and general-public and media relations for a variety of nonprofit, entrepreneurial and corporate clients. She is particularly well-known for the creative special events she envisions and orchestrates to support these activities.
Starting out more than 30 years ago as a print and broadcast journalist/columnist/anchor, she writes, edits and monitors a wide variety of client communications while coaching and developing media skills in clients. Aundrea is an award-winning polka dancer and avid cultural evangelist who founded both the PolishYoungstown and Simply Slavic organizations.
Treasurer - Tony Paglia, retired journalist and media and government relations professional
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Tony Paglia is retired after having spent more than 40 years working in community journalism and media and government relations.
Tony was a reporter and political writer for The Sharon Herald and had a 30-year career as a reporter, bureau chief and senior regional editor at The Vindicator, spending 18 years of that time supervising local media coverage in the five-county area of the Mahoning and Shenango valleys. He spent four years as press secretary for U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Vigorito, a Niles native who represented Northwest Pennsylvania. He rounded out his career serving as vice president of government and media relations for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
Tony received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Duquesne University. A Hermitage, Pa., resident, he and his wife, Rhonda, have three children and five grandchildren.
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Tony Paglia is retired after having spent more than 40 years working in community journalism and media and government relations.
Tony was a reporter and political writer for The Sharon Herald and had a 30-year career as a reporter, bureau chief and senior regional editor at The Vindicator, spending 18 years of that time supervising local media coverage in the five-county area of the Mahoning and Shenango valleys. He spent four years as press secretary for U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Vigorito, a Niles native who represented Northwest Pennsylvania. He rounded out his career serving as vice president of government and media relations for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
Tony received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Duquesne University. A Hermitage, Pa., resident, he and his wife, Rhonda, have three children and five grandchildren.
Past President - George Nelson, Business Journal
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
George Nelson has worked as a professional journalist in the Mahoning Valley since 1985, the majority of which he has spent with The Business Journal, where he currently is deputy managing editor. As a reporter, his focus is on economic and community development and politics. A Youngstown native, he now resides in Niles with his wife and two children. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Youngstown State University and is the president of the Rotary Club of Youngstown.
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
George Nelson has worked as a professional journalist in the Mahoning Valley since 1985, the majority of which he has spent with The Business Journal, where he currently is deputy managing editor. As a reporter, his focus is on economic and community development and politics. A Youngstown native, he now resides in Niles with his wife and two children. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Youngstown State University and is the president of the Rotary Club of Youngstown.
At-Large - JoAnn Kolarik, WFMJ
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
JoAnn Kolarik is an account executive for WFMJ-TV where she uses a palette of advertising elements and years of experience to help her clients achieve their business goals. She has served on the Panerathon Committee since its inception and serves on the PR committee for Potential Development’s School for Students with Autism. JoAnn served as the first president of the re-established Youngstown Press Club from 2018 to 2021.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and economics, and a master’s degree in English, all at YSU. She lives with her husband in Cortland. She helps restore and maintain their fleet of historic vehicles. Her son, Foster, earned his degree in landscape design and returned to the Valley to become 4th generation in the family business. She became a Peloton addict in 2020.
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
JoAnn Kolarik is an account executive for WFMJ-TV where she uses a palette of advertising elements and years of experience to help her clients achieve their business goals. She has served on the Panerathon Committee since its inception and serves on the PR committee for Potential Development’s School for Students with Autism. JoAnn served as the first president of the re-established Youngstown Press Club from 2018 to 2021.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and economics, and a master’s degree in English, all at YSU. She lives with her husband in Cortland. She helps restore and maintain their fleet of historic vehicles. Her son, Foster, earned his degree in landscape design and returned to the Valley to become 4th generation in the family business. She became a Peloton addict in 2020.
At Large - Brenda J. Linert, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Brenda is the director of Government Affairs and Community Impact for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. She retired as editor of the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator at the beginning of 2024. She has won numerous AP awards for her work as a reporter and editor. Brenda holds a bachelor's in journalism from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's in communications from Kent State University.
She also serves as an Associated Press Media Editors board member; is marketing chairwoman for the Junior League of the Mahoning Valley, where she produces the organization's monthly newsletter; and is a member of the Penn-Ohio Model A Club. In her spare time, Brenda is an avid Steelers fan and enjoys driving around town with her husband in their 1931 Model A. They reside in Austintown and have two adult sons.
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Brenda is the director of Government Affairs and Community Impact for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. She retired as editor of the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator at the beginning of 2024. She has won numerous AP awards for her work as a reporter and editor. Brenda holds a bachelor's in journalism from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's in communications from Kent State University.
She also serves as an Associated Press Media Editors board member; is marketing chairwoman for the Junior League of the Mahoning Valley, where she produces the organization's monthly newsletter; and is a member of the Penn-Ohio Model A Club. In her spare time, Brenda is an avid Steelers fan and enjoys driving around town with her husband in their 1931 Model A. They reside in Austintown and have two adult sons.
At Large - Jordan Cohen, freelance, former broadcast and print journalist
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Jordan Cohen is known to most in the Mahoning Valley as news reporter for WFMJ-TV, where he was news director. He was a Vindicator correspondent for 11 years, and has been a writer for Trade Press Services for more than 17 years. He has worked in media relations for Cuyahoga Community College, Sherwin and Associates, Innis Maggiore Group and Pecchia Communications.
Cohen holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He lives in Howland with his wife.
(term July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025)
Jordan Cohen is known to most in the Mahoning Valley as news reporter for WFMJ-TV, where he was news director. He was a Vindicator correspondent for 11 years, and has been a writer for Trade Press Services for more than 17 years. He has worked in media relations for Cuyahoga Community College, Sherwin and Associates, Innis Maggiore Group and Pecchia Communications.
Cohen holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He lives in Howland with his wife.
Executive Director - Diane Laney Fitzpatrick
[email protected]
Diane Laney Fitzpatrick is the volunteer executive director of the Youngstown Press Club. Her role is to support the board in developing programming and events that are useful and engaging for Press Club members, and to carry out the decisions of the board..
Fitzpatrick holds a degree in journalism from Kent State University. She is a former reporter for the Morning Journal in Columbiana County, the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator, and was an editor for Sun Newspapers in Cleveland, before becoming a freelance writer, author and blogger.
She is a member of the professional advisory board for the School of Media and Journalism at Kent State and before being appointed executive director was the press club's communications chair. She lives in Shaker Heights with her husband. They have three adult children.
[email protected]
Diane Laney Fitzpatrick is the volunteer executive director of the Youngstown Press Club. Her role is to support the board in developing programming and events that are useful and engaging for Press Club members, and to carry out the decisions of the board..
Fitzpatrick holds a degree in journalism from Kent State University. She is a former reporter for the Morning Journal in Columbiana County, the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator, and was an editor for Sun Newspapers in Cleveland, before becoming a freelance writer, author and blogger.
She is a member of the professional advisory board for the School of Media and Journalism at Kent State and before being appointed executive director was the press club's communications chair. She lives in Shaker Heights with her husband. They have three adult children.