A True Son Returns: Jackland McDowell Steps Up to Lead The Daily Sentinel and Region

You know, sometimes life really does come full circle, doesn't it? For Jackland Berry McDowell, a name that's probably quite familiar around Nacogdoches, that couldn't be more true. He's officially been named the Publisher of The Daily Sentinel, a place he knows incredibly well, almost like a second home really. And, perhaps even more impressively, he’s also stepping into the pivotal role of Regional Publisher for Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. — CNHI, for short — covering a sprawling territory across East Texas and Louisiana. It’s a big job, no doubt about it.

This news, it marks a bit of a changing of the guard, following the retirement of Mike Land. Now, Mike, he was a fixture, a genuine institution, serving The Daily Sentinel for a remarkable 41 years. Forty-one years! That’s an entire career, a lifetime dedicated to local news, and honestly, hats off to him. Big shoes to fill? Absolutely. But if anyone’s got the history, the know-how, and frankly, the heart for it, it’s McDowell.

Because, and this is where the story gets really good, McDowell isn't just some corporate import. Oh no. His journey with The Daily Sentinel, well, it began way back in 1993. Think about that for a moment. He started as an advertising sales representative, hustling, learning the ropes from the ground up. He moved up, naturally, becoming the advertising director by 1997. And then, as often happens in this business, talent gets recognized, and he started moving around, taking on bigger challenges.

From Nacogdoches, he headed to Carthage in 2000, becoming publisher of The Panola Watchman. A few years later, 2004 to be exact, saw him at the helm of the Corsicana Daily Sun. New Braunfels called in 2013, where he published The Herald-Zeitung. You could say he was collecting experience, understanding the diverse tapestry of Texas communities and their news needs. And then, in 2017, a kind of homecoming happened: he returned to Nacogdoches, taking up the reins as publisher for The Daily Sentinel once again. But he wasn't just here; he also became the publisher for The Lufkin Daily News and the Palestine Herald-Press. A busy man, our Jackland.

The regional role, the one covering nine newspapers across Texas and Louisiana for CNHI, that was actually announced this past January. So, while his specific title at The Daily Sentinel is new in a sense, his expanded leadership across the region has been a work in progress. It speaks volumes, doesn't it, about his capability and the trust placed in him. He's got a lot on his plate, guiding multiple publications, ensuring they stay vibrant and relevant in an ever-changing media landscape.

And let's not forget, his connection to Nacogdoches isn't just professional. It’s personal. Deeply personal, you might even say. He's a Nacogdoches High School graduate, walked those halls, probably played a few sports there. And he continued his education right down the road at Stephen F. Austin State University. This isn't just a job for him; it's an investment in his own community, his own home. He’s married to Kristy, and they have two children, Jack and Sarah. It’s that kind of rootedness, that genuine local connection, that really makes a difference in journalism, I think. It ensures the news isn't just reported, but understood, felt, by the people it serves. It’s an exciting chapter, indeed, for The Daily Sentinel, with a familiar, trusted hand at the helm.