Twenty-five years ago a native Ogden resident and former Portland newspaper executive, came to Provo, took his first look at the ancient Herald building, and wondered if he’d made the right decision in accepting a position with the paper.
That was L. B. (Jack) Tackett’s introduction to the newspaper whose destiny he has guided as publisher for a quarter of a century.
A lot of deadlines have gone by since then Miles of news have streamed from the Herald presses. And the Herald, itself, has made same news with its growth and modernization climaxed by construction of a spacious new newspaper plant at 190 W. 4th N.
Thus, when he retires June 30, Mr. Tackett can look back upon challenging, progressive and productive years at the Herald.
Eventful Career
His eventful newspaper career dates back a long time before he came to the Herald. It started, in fact, back in Ogden where, as a boy, he sold papers at the depot and delivered for the Ogden Examiner and the Deseret News.
He worked evening in the business office of the Examiner while attending Ogden High School.
Two and a half years at University of Oregon Business and Advertising School in Portland helped to advance him into a profession he already had chosen.
Mr. Tackett spent a year as classified advertising manager on the old Salt Lake Herald-Republican. Then he became advertising manager for the Standard at Butte, Mont. Soon he was elevated to sales manager for the Portland Oregonian, one of the West’s great newspapers. His next step – the final one before coming to Provo, was assistant manager of the News-Telegram at Portland.
Many Affiliations
Mr. Tackett is a member of the Northwest Newspaper Association, having served as vice president two years and a director four years. He has been state vice president of the Newspaper Advertising Executives Association for the past five years. He is a member of the Provo Rotary Club, Riverside Country Club and is a 32-degree Mason and a Shriner.
The old Herald office building at 50 S. 1st W., which greeted Mr. Tackett when he came to Provo in 1939 at one time had been part of the Proctor Academy.
One of the new publisher’s first projects was in reconstruct the office. There were other extensions at the old location – new press room, new newsroom, new paper storage.
But with the paper growing by leaps and bounds it became apparent a new building would be required to house the expanding departments and the growing number of machines such as teletypes, wirephoto, engraving facilities, linotypes stereotype equipment, and presses. Mr. Tackett’s dream of a modern new building materialized with construction of the present $200,000 plant in 1957.
Circulation Tripled
In the 25-year period the Herald has tripled its circulation and expanded in every department. Today it requires 78 full-time employees and close to 50 part-time workers plus 270 carrier boys to produce and distribute the paper.
The newspaper’s role in the community has expanded, also, with a progressive editorial policy and participation in projects that have brought improvement and progress.
Mr. Tackett and his wife Rhea Packard Tackett will continue to make their home in Provo at 1525 Locust Lane and expect to continue active in community affairs.
The new Herald publisher starting July 1 will be B. E. (Bye) Jensen, publisher of the Logan Herald Journal for the past five years.