CNHI names new publisher of Press-Republican

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John Celestino, a veteran newspaper executive, has been appointed publisher of The Press-Republican in Plattsburgh, New York.

Celestino is currently the publisher of the Niagara Gazette, and Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. He will continue in that role as well.

Steve McPhaul, CNHI executive vice president and chief operating officer, said Celestino’s extensive print and digital knowledge will prove valuable to the staff, readers and advertisers in the Plattsburgh market.

“John is an accomplished executive and seasoned publisher, and we are delighted that he will be taking on this additional role in Plattsburgh,” said McPhaul.

Prior to joining CNHI in 2017, Celestino served as business development manager for Brainworks Software, a company that supplies computer software to newspapers for advertising, circulation and content management systems.

He began his newspaper career in 1985 at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, where he spent 14 years in advertising sales and marketing. He later served as director of advertising for the Philadelphia Metro paper, and director of advertising and circulation at The Press of Atlantic City, New Jersey, for a dozen years before joining Brainworks Software.

Celestino said he’s excited to lead the charge in Plattsburgh. "While overseeing the paper for the past few months, I got to know the staff and many people in the community,” he said. “Plattsburgh is a very special place with very special people.”

A communications degree graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, Celestino said “the Plattsburgh staff is energized and passionate about the future of our business and we are in a great position to get to the next level.”

John Celestino, The Press-Republican