Brainerd Dispatch publisher Tim Bogenschutz has announced his retirement from the publisher's job he's held for the past five years.
Bogenschutz, however, isn't leaving the Dispatch building. Instead, he'll head to Northland Outdoors and serve as its general manager during launches of a new magazine, TV show and digital media offerings. After the launches, he'll continue to serve as an advisor to the new Dispatch publisher as well as the Northland Outdoors team.
Bogenschutz has managed to have two careers and passions during his working life. He's been able to work in newspaper publishing as well as outdoors media. Helping build the new Northland Outdoors venture brings these two passions together within the Dispatch building.
"I am a long time newspaper guy and I've enjoyed working for family operations. I've had the ability to walk into the owner's office and talk about what needs to be done. I can still do that today. When Forum purchased the Dispatch, there was immediate, personal and meaningful contact by the Marcils," Bogenschutz said.
Bogenschutz began his career in 1975 at the Albert Lea newspaper advertising sales department. In 1978, he was simultaneously offered jobs at the newspapers in Brainerd, Virginia and Dickinson. He chose Brainerd and began his rise from salesperson, to assistant ad manager, to ad manager.
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The outdoors came calling in 1991 when he moved across town to work at In Fisherman magazine as national sales manager. He grew to become its overall ad director. Bogenschutz was eventually lured to Ehlert magazine publishing group in Minneapolis as well as Gemini Sports Marketing in Grand Rapids before returning to the Dispatch as its ad director in 2005. When Terry McCullough retired in 2010, Bogenschutz stepped up to publisher.
Asked about making one more move from newspapers to outdoors media, Bogenschutz said, "The first day Bill Sr., Bill Jr. and Lloyd visited Brainerd, we started talking about the outdoors. For years, I had been trying to figure out if the Dispatch could do this ourselves. We needed to get big enough to get the attention of major manufacturers. With FCC's couple hundred thousand paid subscribers and millions of online readers, there is so much to offer now."
Bogenschutz believes the timing to make the switch is perfect. "We've gotten back up to speed. The morale and pride in the job is back. The Dispatch continues to be a fixture in the community. Our staff is full for the first time in years. I give Forum Communications and the Marcil family credit for that. I am proud I got to do that. This is a place where people are happy to go to work again."
This final move for Bogenschutz is the shortest of his career. It is only a few steps north within the Dispatch office.
