Executive Q&A: Ginger Lamb, Arizona Capitol Times

Get to know key business people in the Valley through our “Executive Q&A” feature. This month, learn more about Ginger Lamb, Vice President and Publisher for Arizona News Service/Arizona Capitol Times. Lamb also serves as president of the Board of Directors for the Arizona Newspapers Association.

Q. What was your first job?
A. "I worked at a pick-your-own fruit farm in Gasport, N.Y., when I was in eighth grade. It was a great job because I met a lot of interesting people, and it was a good place to learn a solid work ethic."

Q. How did you decide to go into journalism?
A. "I worked on my high school newspaper staff, but hadn’t thought of journalism as a career. When I was a senior in high school, a teacher came to me about a one-week internship for the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. I liked it so much that I asked to stay for the rest of the school year. As a high school student intern, I shadowed the staff. Then a week before I graduated, they offered me a paid, full-time job as the Society Page editor. It was fun – I also covered school board meetings and the legislature."

Q. What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
A. "Believe in others and help them become the best they can be. Without the support of that teacher in high school, my guidance counselor and my editor at the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, I wouldn’t be here today doing what I do. When I see talent in someone and passion to grow with a company, I try to foster that as much as possible."

Q. What advice would you give to young professionals just starting out?
A. "The best thing you can do is to always have integrity and honesty in what you’re doing. And if you believe in something, be persistent and go after it."

Q. What’s the best part about your job today?
A. "The political landscape changes every single day, which makes my job fun, interesting and unique. No two days are ever the same."

Q. What’s the greatest challenge you face in your job?
A. "Our business is diversified with print and online products — all of which are built on a paid subscription model. The challenge is to innovate, but innovate wisely, so we are providing our subscribers with the right tools to help them continue to be successful in their business or profession. There is never a shortage of ideas — whether it’s an app, web feature or event. The key is to be smart and implement what will help further our platform and meet the needs of our clients and subscribers."

Q. What would you like people to know about your organization?
A. "We’re a newspaper operation and a news service. A big piece of what we do is to be a partner with our clients. So, if there’s anything our staff or I can do to help members of the business community become more comfortable in understanding what happens at the capitol to help them do their jobs better, we can do that. We’re happy to help."

Q. What major difference would you like to see in the newspaper industry?
A. "I’m an advocate for newspapers becoming better marketers and promoters of the successes we have every day. Whether it’s about the stories we publish that make a difference or the new applications, events or products we launch, newspapers need to be better about tooting our own horns. There are so many good things that newspapers do that are often overlooked."

Q. What do you do in your free time?
A. "I like to golf. I’m not very good at it, but I like to go out and have fun! And I really enjoy gardening. I’m really proud that right now, my garden is the most beautiful it’s ever been."

This story, written by Stephanie Conner, is part of the Chamber's new monthly Businesswise for Women email. To receive any or all of our email newsletters, click here.