The Leelanau Enterprise has a new publisher.
David Thornberry joins the staff after decades in the newspaper business in a career that took him all over the country.
“(Thornberry) has a very successful history in the industry and has hit the ground running here in Leelanau,” said former Enterprise publisher John Elchert, who now is the chief operational officer of Blackbird LCC. His office remains in Lake Leelanau.
A native of northwest Indiana, Thornberry began work cleaning the offices at The Hammond (Indiana) Tribune. He would go on to study at Purdue, the University of Valparaiso and Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois.
His career would grow and ultimately take him to work in 27 states — from Washington State to eastern Kentucky, Colorado and the Great Lakes states — Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. But his publications all had the same focus: community journalism.
“All across the country news deserts are growing with the closure of newspapers,” Thornberry said. “The Enterprise is hyper-focused on everything Leelanau and will remain your source for local news.”
Thornberry married his high school sweetheart, Laura. They have three adult children and five grandsons. In his spare time, Thornberry enjoys canoeing, boating, fishing and music.
“ The Leelanau Enterprise long has had reputation for representing its community with solid journalism and involvement,” Elchert said. “I am certain that will continue under David’s leadership.
“I look forward to the great things he will do in leading the Enterprise.”
