Rollman named Bonners Ferry Herald GM, ad director

SANDPOINT — Terry Rollman has come home.

After working for almost four years for Engaged Media, Inc., first as publisher of the company’s Homes/Lifestyle Group and then also as president of its Lifestyle Group in California, she has been hired as general manager and advertising director of the Bonner County Daily Bee and Bonners Ferry Herald.

Northern Idaho Regional Publisher Clint Schroeder said he is pleased to welcome Rollman to the company.

“I’m so excited to introduce the community to Terry,” Schroeder said. “I know she will bring a great deal of professionalism and integrity to the job and will be a great asset to the community.”

Rollman, who grew up in Spokane, Wash., and moved to the South Pacific when she was 10 years old, said returning to the Pacific Northwest is coming home.

“I’ve lived in many beautiful places, but I was ready to live in a more peaceful town,” she said. “I love the idea that this is a small community. I was working on national publications so I didn’t really get to know the community when I was living in Orange County. I look forward to the opportunity to really get to know, and be a part of, the community here.”

Rollman said she is excited to help the community’s businesses, connecting their products and services with those who are looking for them. Whether they are a full-time resident or a part-time resident, or a business owner or a shopper, people want to know what’s going on and how they can be a part of the community.

“We want to help local businesses be successful, that is a big part of what I hope to do,” she said. “I want to help them achieve their goals.”

She also is looking to forward to helping the community connect with each other.

“I think people are looking for things to do, they’re looking for where to go to buy things,” she added. “I’m new here so I’m looking for resources. I’m looking in the newspaper for where to go, what to do, where different products and services are. But I also want to know what is going on in this community. I want to know the important stories that are going on, I want to know about the people.

And the newspaper does all that, Rollman said.

After graduating from high school on Maui and graduating from the University of Hawaii with a degree in journalism, she started her career on Oahu, working first as assistant director of public relations for Hilton Hotels and then as vice president for Pinnacle Communications.

Rollman then worked as publisher of Hawaii Home + Remodeling Magazine for 12 years where she supervised a seven-member team in editorial, sales, circulation, production, marketing, and new media departments. In addition, she was a member of the senior management team, leading a parent media company with 67 employees.

In her spare time, Rollman enjoys hiking with her golden retriever, Lili, and biking — her new road bike just arrived — and is looking forward to paddling and reconnecting with the sport of paddle boarding. She also wants to learn to fly fish.

“I’ve never done it but it seems like such a peaceful activity,” she said.

Just being out in nature and enjoying all the outdoor activities in the area is something she is really looking forward to, said Rollman.

“It’s such a beautiful, beautiful place,” she added.

“I know I came at the right time of year but I just can’t get over it. I just keep posting the same pictures over and over again.”

She said she is excited to get to know everyone and to be a part of the community.

“One thing I’ve noticed since I moved here is how friendly people are here. You can be walking down the street and complete strangers say hello to you. It’s not like that everywhere,” she said. “I’m really excited about getting to know the people here and getting involved.

“I feel like I can make a difference here.”