Thank you for all of the emails, phone calls, cards and gifts the past few weeks congratulating me on my new position as Publisher of the Austin Daily Herald.

For those of you who may not know, here are a few things about me:

I was born and raised in Austin. My mom and dad were also born and raised here.

It’s funny how many people leave and come back while others like me just never leave. I have two daughters, Trinity, 14 and Destiny, 11, and a naughty black lab named Shadow. I am involved at St. Olaf Lutheran Church and help coach various sports. I am a Rotarian, I am involved in both Austin Youth Softball and Austin Youth Basketball boards. I help with the Fourth of July parade and I am active on the Ladies Night Out committee, among other organizations.

I spend a lot of my time on the basketball court, softball diamonds and the volleyball court. There are many days where I feel like I live in my car and spend more money on gas than I do anything else. In my spare time, which I don’t get much of, I like to take day trips and find good places to eat and things to do in small communities. I enjoy working out and running. I love shopping for my girls more than myself. I enjoy watching movies of all kinds.

I have been at the Herald for 12 and a half years. While every day is different and some days more challenging than others, I truly love my job even on the worst days. I never dread a day going in.

While at the Herald I have spent most of my career in the advertising department. The Herald has a great staff. We are from the area and we all live around here. We are all dedicated to a community and county the Herald has been a part of since 1891. I look forward to continuing that tradition of having the best local content for our readers.

As publisher I am excited about the new opportunity that it holds. Please call me if you have a question or a story idea at 507-434-2220, or email me at jana.gray@austindailyherald.com. I look forward to continue serving Austin and Mower County.