John Denny Montgomery III, co-publisher of The Purcell Register, took office as president of the Oklahoma Press Association July 1, 2021.
OPA members elected Montgomery during the annual business meeting at the June 11-12 OPA Convention in Oklahoma City. Montgomery, who succeeds Mike Strain as president, will serve a one-year term.
“It is my highest privilege to serve as president of OPA,” said Montgomery. “I’ve looked up to so many past OPA presidents during my lifetime, including my parents, John D. and Gracie, and I’m honored for the opportunity to serve the association and its membership.”
Mark Millsap, publisher of The Norman Transcript, was elected to a one-year term as vice president. Jeff Mayo, publisher of the Sequoyah County Times, was re-elected to a second one-year term as treasurer.
Misti Rinehart, sales manager for the Tulsa World and Oklahoma Weekly Group, was elected to a three-year term as a board director. Other directors are Zonelle Rainbolt, Wesner Publications; Don Mecoy, The Oklahoman; Shauna Belyeu, The Eufaula Indian Journal; Sheila Gay, Woodward News; and Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun.
“During my time on the board I’ve had the opportunity to learn from some of the great journalists in our state,” Montgomery said. “I’m thankful to have our current board members as we navigate some new and exciting advancements for the association. We have the best press association in the country and I look forward to a great year.”
Montgomery was named to the OPA board of directors in 2014.
He has worked in and around newspapers his entire life. He’s done everything in the newspaper office, from emptying trash to making top decisions as co-publisher of The Purcell Register after he was named to the position in 2019.
After graduating from Purcell High School in 2001, Montgomery attended The University of Oklahoma, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication in 2006. While in college he served as president of the Beta Kappa Chapter of Sigma Chi.
He married his wife, Emily, in 2006. The two of them published Boyd Street Magazine in Norman for nearly six years before selling it and returning to The Register full-time in 2011.
Montgomery served as Purcell Rotary President in 2013-2014 and has served multiple terms on the Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He is also active in many lay roles at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Purcell.
John Denny and Emily have three children, John Denny (Jack) Montgomery IV, 10, Lane Montgomery, 7, and Thomas Montgomery, 4.
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