Ex-Daily News publisher enters Florida Newspaper Hall

ST. PETERSBURG - Corbin Wyant, a former publisher of the Naples Daily News, was inducted Friday into the Florida Newspaper Hall. The induction was part of the annual convention of the Florida Press Association and the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors.

Wyant was vice president and general manager of the Daily News from 1977 to 1985, when he became publisher. He also took on the role of president in 1986, holding the dual positions until his retirement in 2002.

Corbin had been active in Florida newspapering since 1974, serving as publisher of the Daily News Herald in Punta Gorda from 1974-76. He also had worked in the newspaper business elsewhere from 1958 to 1973.

After retirement, he became the first president of the revived Florida Press Foundation and continues to actively serve as its president today.

Wyant, 69, who lives in Naples and works as a consultant for Sun Coast Media Group, publishers of Sun newspapers in Florida. He was surprised by the honor that put him in the company of newspaper greats such as John Knight, publisher of The Miami Herald for almost four decades, and Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today.

"What I'm really proud of is the journalistic quality of our Florida newspapers. It's been a real, real privilege to be a part of that and I've had the wonderful opportunity to be associated with Scripps and Sun Coast Media Group."

E.W. Scripps Company is the parent company of the Daily News.

"The quality of the Naples Daily News has continued to grow and we had great, great pride in the excellence of that product."

He attributed to the success of his work to the help of the people he worked with. He said he and they lived by a motto he had on a plaque in his office during his years at the Daily News. It said, "Relentless Optimism."

"I would say that the one consistent quality is relentless optimism and I was surrounded by people who displayed that and if they got knocked down they got right back up. I was a college wrestler and when you wrestle you learn you have to get right back up and you learn to continue to strive for excellence."

The Florida Press Association also elected officers for 2006-2007 on Friday.

Foy Maloy, publisher of the Fernandina Beach News-Leader, was elected chairman. Marty Petty, publisher and executive vice president of the St. Petersburg Times, was elected vice-chair. Jim McGauley, publisher of The Baker County Press, was elected treasurer and Tom Weber, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, became the immediate past chairman.

The following directors were appointed to serve a one-year term: Terry Hynes, University of Florida, associate representative; Lauren Miller, Parade Magazine, associate representative; Georgia Kaney, Daytona Beach News-Journal, daily representative; Rick Thomason, The Destin Log, weekly representative.

The following directors were elected to a two-year term: Ron Dupont, The High Springs Herald; Dan Autrey, Tampa Bay Newspapers; Avido Khahaifa, Orlando Sentinel and Jim Doughton, The Gainesville Sun.

The following directors are completing the second year of their two-year term: Andrew Bailey, West Orange Times; David Dunn-Rankin, Sun Herald; Greg Watson, Florida Today; and Sandra Kemp, Navarre Press, completes the term of Jim McGauley. Dean Ridings, President and CEO of the Florida Press Association service, also serves on the board as director.

Marty Petty, publisher and executive vice president of the St. Petersburg Times, was the host of the annual convention, site of the elections.