Contests and Awards

Daniel M. Phillips Leadership Award

2008 Phillips Award Winner

Jim Edgecombe

Publisher, Minden (NE) Courier

View the presentation photos

Jim Edgecombe, publisher of Minden (NE) Courier, will be honored during the National Newspaper Association’s 122nd Annual Convention and Trade Show, when he will be presented with the Daniel M. Phillips Leadership Award.
NNA established this award in 2007 to honor Daniel Morris “Dan” Phillips, an award-winning writer, photographer and assistant publisher of the Oxford (MS) Eagle, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 47. This award is presented to an individual between 23-40 years old who is well respected in his or her community, of good reputation and integrity, provides active leadership in the newspaper industry and is active in his or her state press association and community and whose newspaper is a member of NNA.

The award will be presented at the business luncheon, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, which will be held during NNA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show in St. Paul, MN.

Edgecombe, publisher of Minden (NE) Courier, will be the first recipient of the Daniel M. Phillips Leadership Award.

In a recommendation letter for Edgecombe, Allen J. Beermann, executive director of the Nebraska Press Association said, “He treasures both community and newspaper. He serves both and understands the importance of both in his life. He is unselfish, hard working and is always a gentleman.”

Roger Jones, mayor of Minden, NE, also shared his appreciation of Edgecombe’s efforts. “Jim is not only involved with the Courier but he is involved in Minden. With a young family and all of the time constraints Jim still finds time to cover all the important events of Minden. I would conclude that this young man in a very short time has become a pillar of our community and an outstanding young leader.”

Carl Ashman, assistant principal and athletic administrator for Minden High School said, “Mr. Edgecombe displays two qualities that I find especially impressive: professionalism and helpfulness to our school. He always conducts himself as a consummate professional. He is a great asset to our school and community as well as communities around us.”

Judges commented that Edgecombe is “an outstanding example of leadership combined with service and has lifted the spirits of those in his community and state through hard work, service and sacrifice. He has compiled an impressive community and newspaper resume,” and his “involvement mirrors what a community newspaper person should be in their market.” Judges also applauded Edgecombe’s efforts and said, “It is difficult to see how he can pack so much activity into one lifetime!”

Jim Edgecombe will also be recognized in the November issue of Publishers’ Auxiliary.