McChesney named publisher of the Frontiersman

J. David McChesney said he feels like he has been preparing for the latest opportunity in his career for decades. He just didn’t know it until now.

In his quad cab truck with a kayak strapped on top and a trailer behind, McChesney, along with his Labrador, Boone, made the trek from Indiana to Alaska earlier this month. It’s the 50th state he has visited, and the one he now calls home.

“I’m really loving being here,” McChesney said.

McChesney has spent decades in the business, with a focus on community journalism and technology.

“I’ve worked in local newspapers my entire life, since I was 15,” he said.

McChesney graduated with honors from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Communications (photojournalism), then worked for Nixon Newspaper group as Director of Technology in Peru, Indiana. In 1998, McChesney founded and became managing partner for 1up!, an internet software company that aided community newspaper publishers in their digital transition. He left in 2021 to become Director of Publisher Engagement for ePublishing in Chicago, after ePublishing purchased his company.

“I was in software for 25 years,” McChesney said. “It was all related to technology in newspapers, getting them online. In my career I was a very early believer in what the web was going to do for community newspapers. When the group I was with in 1995 said we’re going to do this, I jumped in with both feet. It was a big deal.”

McChesney is bringing that digital-first insight to Wick’s Alaskan publications.

“There is a ton of opportunity to complement what we do in print with what we do online, The fact we’re doing that here is great,” McChesney said.

McChesney said he also aims to bring the mentality of his time as a photojournalist to his position as publisher.

“Part of that professional approach of a photojournalist is you have to be on the street all of the time,” he said. “I think that's another reason I am here.”

McChesney said he is looking forward to meeting and working with people throughout the Mat-Su and Anchorage communities.

“First and foremost my job is to help the staff get done what they need to get done, but do the same for the community, let them know we are here to serve them,” he said.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.