Christopher “Kip” Bateman, Ken Herts, and Steve Oroho will join fellow board members to oversee the thriving nonprofit’s work of building strong communities through local journalism and civic engagement

New Jersey, September 16, 2024 – The Corporation for New Jersey Local Media (CNJLM) today announced the addition of three new, high-profile members to its governing board: Christopher (Kip) Bateman, former New Jersey state senator (R, Dist. 16); Ken Herts, chief operating officer of the Philadelphia-based Lenfest Institute for Journalism; and former New Jersey State Senator and Certified Public Accountant Steve Oroho (R, Dist. 24).

All three individuals add significant expertise, vision, and enthusiasm to the nonprofit’s already strong board, which is charged with overseeing its mission of building strong communities through local journalism and civic engagement.

Kip Bateman brings with him a long dedication to public service and commitment to bipartisanship. He most recently served as a Republican State Assemblyman and State Senator representing Somerset County. In addition to his well-known and long-standing commitment to environmental issues, Bateman also boasts a notable family connection to journalism: his grandfather, C. Palmer Bateman, owned Somerset Press Inc., which published six weekly newspapers: the Somerset Messenger Gazette, The Middlesex Chronicle, The pd Review, The Metuchen-Edison Review, The Bound Branch Chronicle, and The South Plainfield Reporter.

Ken Herts currently serves as the chief operating officer at The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, the nonprofit owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Before joining Lenfest, Herts spent nearly 30 years at Dow Jones in a number of leadership, finance, product, and technology roles, including vice president of finance for its Consumer Media Group, a billion-dollar business unit that included The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, Barron’s, and other properties. He also served as vice president and general manager of Dow Jones Newswires, leading product strategy and operations for this global financial news organization. Before that, he was the publisher of The Wall Street Journal Europe, based in Brussels, at the time a 100,000-circulation newspaper concentrated in 10 major European cities.

Former NJ State Senator Steve Oroho is also a certified public accountant and certified financial planner who was widely respected on both sides of the aisle for his financial acumen during his 15-year career in the legislature. Known for his work on fiscal policy, taxation, and economic issues, Oroho has focused his political career on reducing taxes, promoting economic growth, and supporting agricultural and rural communities in his district.

“I am thrilled to welcome Kip, Ken, and Steve to our governing board,” said Board Chair Lisa Bhimani, MD. “Their experience, passion, and vision will be fundamental to ensuring that we can continue to revolutionize local journalism and create a strong future for the news.”

“These three are a welcome addition to an already-strong board,” said Amanda Richardson, CNJLM executive director. “I look forward to working with them to pursue our mission of building strong communities through local journalism and civic engagement.”

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Corporation for New Jersey Local Media builds strong communities through journalism and civic engagement. The organization seeks to enhance civic engagement by promoting professional community journalism, fostering public discussion of critical issues, and expanding access to educational programs. Learn more at www.newsweneed.org.