Globe names new publisher

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

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Ironwood – Globe Publisher Sue Mizell is retiring this week, ending 34 years in the newspaper industry. She's stepping down on Friday after 11 years with the newspaper in Ironwood.

"We have enjoyed our long-lasting relationship with Sue and wish her the best in her retirement," said Gary Stevenson, of Stevenson Newspapers, the Sheridan, Wyoming-based owner of The Globe. "We are happy to announce we are keeping the paper in capable local hands with the deserved promotion of Heidi Ofstad to publisher. We look forward to continued contributions to the community."

Ofstad has been with newspaper for 20 years, starting in circulation and most recently as director of advertising.

"I truly appreciate everything that I have learned in my time working with Sue and I wish her the best in her retirement," said Oftsad. "She has dealt with so many obstacles, and pulled The Globe through. I cannot thank her enough for that. I look forward to my future and added role with The Globe, and continuing to be a part of the community."

Mizell is pleased with Ofstad's appointment.

"Heidi will do well in her new position. She has all the groundwork in place to continue to successfully lead The Globe," said Mizell. "She's a local girl, so her advantage is clear. She's fair, honest and dedicated. I wish her nothing but success."

Ofstad grew up in Ironwood Township, graduated from Luther L. Wright High School, and lives in Saxon, Wisconsin, with her husband, Stacy. They have two grown children.

Mizell, who grew up on a farm in Brule, Nebraska, got her start in newspapers in 1989 as an advertising representative at the Sidney Telegraph, 60 miles down the road in western Nebraska.

"The ad director who hired me told me, 'You'll always have a job whereever you move. There's a newspaper in every town.' She was right," said Mizell.

Working for Media News Group, which owned the Denver Post, she worked for newspapers in New Mexico, Idaho and Colorado.

"I did various jobs, including ad director and publisher. I really grew into the business," said Mizell of those years.

In 2009, she was hired by Stevenson to be publisher of what had become the Sidney Sun Telegraph. She came to the Daily Globe as publisher in 2012, which transitioned to a weekly - The Globe - in September 2022.

"I've enjoyed working with Gary Stevenson over the last 14 years," she said. "In terms of running a newspaper, we think a lot alike. I'll miss the strategic conversations and his friendship. I will remain thankful for the opportunities he afforded me."

Mizell said she is also appreciative of the staff at The Globe.

"I'm proud of the accomplishments here. We were named a top newspaper in the state by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association in 2020 and the Michigan Press Association in 2018. We also covered some pretty big stories, including the storm in 2016 and downtown Ironwood fire in 2018."

Other highlights, according to Mizell, included launching an annual history section, the Creative Kids design an ad and essay contest, and the Business Card directory; as well as re-vamping the summer and winter Fun Guides.

As for what's next for Mizell, she said she has no immediate plan other than to "let her soul shine."