Michelle Ackerman, former Classified Product Director and 21-year employee of Denver Newspaper Agency, is in her second week as Classified Advertising Director for The Gazette in Colorado Springs. While only 75 miles down the road, it’s a “really different DMA,” she told us. “It’s fun after having been in a big market so long. We used to think that was the place to be but now it’s nice to be in this size market where the outlook is brighter.”

Her immediate objectives are getting to know her sales team and the local Gazette advertisers. “This was a position I always aspired to, but I never wanted to leave Colorado,” Ackerman said. “What really impressed me about Freedom is they really are on the ball about online. All the planets aligned for me.”