Coastal Breeze News Publisher Receives National Award

The Association of Community Publishers has honored Coastal Breeze News publisher Val Simon by selecting her for the organization’s Publisher of the Year Award. 

The ACP represents publishers of free-circulation, community publications across the United States that reach millions of readers on a weekly, biweekly and monthly basis. The organization’s membership ranges from independently owned publications with circulations of less than 5,000 to divisions of major communications companies.

Simon learned of the honor at the ACP’s annual Conference and Trade Show, held recently in Charlotte, where she was accompanied by her husband, Rene. Their daughters, Stephanie and Jessica, surprised Simon by arriving at the conference’s formal presentation right as she was being announced as the awardee. 

Stephanie and Jessica also composed this testimonial to their mother: 

She won’t say this herself, but she works tirelessly behind the scenes for this paper and her community. Most customers and employees wouldn’t be surprised to receive an email from her at 3 a.m. as she quietly works away in the middle of the night. 

She inspires us every day as she supports countless community organizations, and she has served on a number of committees and boards throughout the community.  

Over the last 14 years, there has only been one time that Coastal Breeze missed printing an edition. As Hurricane Ian approached, the newspaper printer closed in preparation. During this time, she looked for other solutions and even considered renting a U-Haul herself to drive to the other coast to pick up papers from another printer. Through hurricanes, power outages, Covid, and life itself, she has continued to push through each edition. 

It takes a strong team to put together a newspaper like this, and she couldn’t do it without every single employee, contributor, and reader. Thank you all for your support, and a special thanks to her team for their tireless work. 

“Coastal Breeze is the only locally owned newspaper in the area. We live here, we work here, we play here, and we support our community here!”

Congratulations again to our publisher, friend, mom, inspiration, and boss! You inspire us every day!  

Val thanked the association for choosing her for the award.  She said ACP keeps members engaged and motivated.  “They give us the tools to stay on the cutting edge of the publishing industry.”  She expressed appreciation for her team who work hard to put the paper out each week and her daughters who nominated her.