2005
Arizona Newspapers Association Hall of
Fame
William V. (Bill) and Darlene Toops |
Pueblo Publishers
Glendale Star & Peoria Times |
Inducted September 16, 2005
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Stayed true to their
original vision of
Community first
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The Arizona Newspapers Association presented its annual
Hall of Fame Induction at a reception and dinner, Friday, Sept. 16, 2005
at 6 p.m. during ANAs Fall Convention. The ceremony took place at the
Chaparral Suites Resort in Scottsdale.
Bill and Darlene Toops, owners and chief executive
officers of The Glendale Star and Peoria Times, Hall of Fame honorees.
Hall of fame members are recognized for their contribution to newspapers
and their communities.
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Bill Toops, right, with
former owner Keith Jenson. |
Having purchased Pueblo Publishers, publisher of Peoria
Times, in 1975, Bill Toops continued on a road in newspapers that began
with receiving his journeyman printers card in 1960.
While attending North Phoenix High School he worked at
the Phoenix Sun as a printer apprentice. He left the newspaper in 1964
to work as a production manager at Pueblo Publishers. He worked his way
up to general manager and purchased stock along the way. His wife
Darlene began as bookkeeper at Pueblo in 1969.
As owners of Pueblo, the Toops started The Glendale Star
in 1976. Pueblo was a true family business, as the Toops children, Roger
and Billy, began working there as inserters while they were in high
school.
Bill and Darlene were devoted to their newspapers and
their community, as they catered to readers who wanted local news.
Through competition and an ever-growing community, the Toops kept their
original vision of a true community newspaper.
As their business grew, Bill and Darlene kept their
strong values intact and gave back to their community. They continued
their focus on local youth activities and high school sports, clubs and
service organizations while also teaching the newspaper business to
their sons.
Bill served as president of the Glendale Chamber of
Commerce in 1983. Darlene was chairman of the board in 1990. They both
were an integral part of the growth of Banner Thunderbird Medical
Center, as they sat on the board of the organization supporting the
hospital.
Today their sons, Roger and Billy, are at the helm of the
business a business that stayed true to the original vision of
community first.
Nominated by Carolyn Dryer
Editor, The Glendale Star and Peoria Times |