Terry Christensen, the publisher of The Daily Freeman-Journal and The Messenger in Fort Dodge, has been elected president of the Iowa Newspaper Association.

As president of the INA, he will work with the organization’s board of directors to provide oversight and develop policies to guide the association.

“Strong leadership for an industry in transition during unprecedented times is critical,” said Susan Patterson Plank, the executive director of the association. “The newspapers of Iowa have chosen a strong leader in Christensen.”

The association, Christensen said, ”is one of the largest, most respected media organizations in the country.”

“The opportunity for me to lead INA is reflective on the good work being done by the people in our Fort Dodge and Webster City newspapers,” he said.

“Since the COVID pandemic began, the need for accurate local coverage has never been more important,” he added. “I believe INA helped the over 250 newspaper members in Iowa work together to bring the best coverage possible during these tough times.”

Christensen became the publisher of both the Fort Dodge and Webster City newspapers in October 2017. He had been general manager of The Daily Freeman Journal since 2010.

He had previously served as advertising director of The Messenger from 2004 to 2007. He has also worked at the Daily Times Herald in Carroll; the Lincoln Journal Star in Lincoln, Nebraska; and the Omaha World Herald in Omaha, Nebraska.

Christensen and his wife, Tammy, have two sons and three grandchildren.