Reporter Welcomes New Publisher at Gazette, Tonawanda News

New publisher Chris Vocci Former publisher Pete Mio

We here at the Niagara Reporter would like to extend our congratulations and best wishes to Chris Voccio who last week was named publisher of the Niagara Gazette and Tonawanda News effective Sept. 2 by Community Newspapers Holdings, Inc., of Montgomery, Ala., a holding company which owns more than 100 newspapers in 23 states.

Voccio, who has previously served as publisher at four different newspapers, comes to his new position from the Bulletin in Norwich, Conn., where he has worked for more than two years and he takes over the local publishing post from highly regarded Peter Mio who has served as publisher of the Gazette and Tonawanda News for the last several years, leading the papers through difficult times in the newspaper industry.

"We welcome Chris to the community, and I sincerely hope that we enjoy the same spirited but friendly competitive relationship that we enjoyed with Peter [Mio]," said Frank Parlato, publisher of the Niagara Reporter. "This community and its citizens deserve a strong newspaper voice to help them stay informed on events of the day and hold public officials responsible for their actions. Peter Mio did a terrific job in leading the Gazette and Tonawanda News during his tenure as publisher and we certainly hope we see him again very soon in our community."

Voccio, who will leave the Bulletin on Aug. 29, told readers that "I'm proud of what we've done here, but I think it's time for a change and new leadership to come in here with some new ideas and new vigor."

According to the Bulletin, Voccio is a native of Johnston, R. I., and began working at the paper in April of 2012. During his tenure at the Bulletin, Voccio served on the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce's executive board and was named the 2013 Volunteer of the Year by United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. He will have big shoes to fill in that regard as Peter Mio was extremely active in numerous community groups during his tenure as publisher of the Gazette and Tonawanda News.