McCormicks retire after selling NCTP newspaper group

VERNON – Owners and managers of the Vernon Daily Record Bret and Teri McCormick have announced their retirement from the newspaper industry and the sale of the North Central Texas Publishing Corp. group of newspapers to Daniel and Michele Walker of Vernon.
The acquisition includes the Vernon Daily Record, Burkburnett Informer Star and Clay County Leader.
The McCormick family invested in the Vernon Daily Record 45 years ago as a part of the Roberts Publishing Group. In 2010, the McCormicks moved to Vernon and Bret assumed the president and publisher’s role for NCTP.
Bret McCormick noted that Daniel Walker is former regional editor for the group. “The primary reason we decided on Daniel Walker to continue with our group of newspapers has been his leadership in the newsroom. We are thrilled that one of the top journalists in Texas has chosen to make Vernon his home and carry the business of the local newspapers forward into the future,” he said.
Walker said he is “thankful for this opportunity to keep these newspapers under local control” and added that “we are invested in Vernon,” pledging to continue serving the community by producing “a newspaper that fairly and accurately informs you.”
During their careers, Bret and Teri McCormick worked for Brown Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. Teri McCormick started her career with Gannett Newspapers and Bret McCormick worked for the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
“Teri and I have filled just about every role in the business and, looking back, the best part has been that it has been a family affair. Our children delivered newspapers, took photos of Friday night football games and area events, and eventually became editors, business managers and served as board members in the industry,” McCormick said.
“We’ve had a great run and close this chapter with a great deal of satisfaction…We had some of the best mentors and served with many dedicated and kind people along the way,” McCormick said.
“Serving on the board of the TPA and having access to seasoned publishers was an incredible resource. In the end, I have nothing but graciousness for playing a small role in the newspaper profession,” he added.
“I was happiest that our local newspapers all ran a Bible verse on the front page of each edition. I think that is why we weathered every storm and outperformed the industry trends. It is not a business for the weak. When your wife loses friends over an opinion that you ran in an editorial … it leaves scars and takes a toll. But, experience has taught me time usually shows such events to prove the vital need for such honesty and steadfastness.”
The McCormicks are relocating to Bentonville, Arkansas, to be closer to their grandchildren as their son, Payton, and son-in-law, Blake Jackson, both work in communications with Wal-Mart corporate offices located there.