The National NewsMedia Council (NNC) would like to express its most sincere gratitude to Tim Shoults, a stalwart of our organization and a tireless champion of community news, who will be departing our board on April 22, as he moves on to a new role outside of journalism.

Shoults has been one of the NNC’s professional directors since ‘Day One’. Prior to the creation of the NNC in 2015, he served as a director on the British Columbia Press Council. During his time with the NNC, Shoults was instrumental in helping to establish a cohesive national organization.

Since that ‘Day One’ he has served as the chair of the NNC’s finance committee and helped to ensure the Council remained on sound financial footing.

“We are very sad to see Tim depart our board where he has played such a dynamic role,” said board chair John Fraser, “but at the same time we congratulate him for taking on important new responsibilities in the medical and health field.”

Fraser added that Shoults fortified the NNC during its early days. “The good news is that he has promised to stay our friend and, when needed, adviser. On behalf of the board and staff at the NNC, I wish him and his wonderful family all the best and we send profound thanks for all the support he gave us.”

Earlier this week, Shoults penned a touching note on LinkedIn that reflects on nearly a quarter century in the community news business.

Two years ago, we profiled Shoults in our ongoing ‘Director’s Spotlight’ newsletter feature. You can read more about him here.

**UPDATE** Shortly after publishing, it was announced that Shoults, in conjunction with several of his colleagues at Kamloops This Week, had been selected as a finalist for the 2021 Michener Award for meritorious public service journalism.