New Board Members Nominated
Shannon Welch, Gannett – Shannon Welch currently serves in a dual capacity for Gannett. He is a Regional Vice-President of Sales for LocaliQ over seven mid-western states. Additionally, he serves the Des Moines Register directly as the General Manager. With a degree in Marketing, Shannon has risen rapidly through the ranks in his 12 years with Gannett due to his savvy digital insights and solutions for his clients. His acumen is sought out from leadership teams throughout Gannett’s national footprint. Shannon and his family– wife Julie and three children, continue a proud heritage of passion for all sports, travel, and the many teams he coaches on behalf of his children.
Rob Maharry, Marshalltown Times-Republican – Rob is an Iowa native who primarily grew up in Buena Vista County and graduated from Alta High School in 2009. After graduating from the University of Iowa with degrees in Journalism/Mass Communication and Political Science in 2013, he took a job with the Conrad Record out of college, eventually moving on to The Grundy Register and Eldora Newspapers and serving as the editor of the Grundy Register until 2021. In October of 2021, Rob started his current position as the managing editor of the Times-Republican and have been there ever since. Other than the INA board, he also serves on the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is the incoming co-chair of the Marshalltown Area United Way’s 2025-2026 fundraising campaign. Rob and his wife Erinn reside in Marshalltown and are hoping to grow their family in the near future.
Eric Pratt, Fort Dodge Messenger -A proud Iowan, Eric hails from Fort Dodge. He is a graduate of Iowa Central Community College and the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in business. Sports journalism has been a passion since he started working at The Messenger as a high school student and he’s been a part of its sports pages for 30-plus years. Eric has served as the Sports Editor in since 2000. Additionally he helps the newsroom with writing, planning and scheduling.
Eric is a decorated journalist and has been recognized by the Iowa High School Athletic Association (Media Award, 2017); the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association (Media Award, 2019); and the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Assocation/National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Dan McCool Award, 2019).
Eric and his wife, Amanda, reside in Fort Dodge with their four children: Evan (19), Linnie (15), Gretta (13) and Amelia (7).
Rob Cravaritis, Lee Enterprises – Rob Cravaritis is a seasoned professional with a diverse career spanning several industries. Over the years, he has built a distinguished career marked by his expertise in advertising and digital sales, marketing, and business development. With a passion for working in the media sector, Rob has played a pivotal role in leading cross-functional teams, driving revenue growth, increasing operational efficiency, and fostering strong client relationships. He is particularly skilled in identifying growth opportunities, optimizing operations, and implementing effective revenue growth strategies.
Throughout his career, Rob has held various significant senior roles, including Executive Vice President of Sales at Houston Chronicle Media Group, VP of Advertising and Publisher at South Florida Sun Sentinel, VP of Sales at Houston Business Journal, Chief Revenue Officer at Hart Energy, and finally, President of the Iowa Business Unit at Lee Enterprises. In these roles, Rob has spearheaded transformative projects that have produced repeatable and stackable revenue, digital growth, and multi-media advertising solutions. His leadership style is grounded in a commitment to integrity, inclusivity, and continuous improvement, and he is known for his ability to inspire those around him to achieve excellence.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Rob is a dedicated family man to his wife Trish, and their son Nicholas and daughter Alexis. They enjoy traveling to watch Nicholas play college football and watch Alexis perform in school and studio dance competitions. When he’s not focused on advancing his professional career, Rob enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time with friends and family.
Sam Wagner, Iowa Information Media Group – Sam Wagner is the third generation with Iowa Information Media Group and White Wolf Web in Sheldon, IA. In his current role he is heavily involved in the business office and operations of the printing plant.
A graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Finance and Business Analytics, Sam has developed expertise in the company’s’ financials. He is passionate about his community, is always learning and desires to carry on the family legacy for the next generation.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with friends and family in Okoboji, reading non-fiction, and cheering on all things Iowa State Cyclones. He serves on numerous community and industry boards and committees.