By Shayla Reaves

Astrid Garcia is the outgoing President for the National Association of Minority Media Executives. She is one of the most powerful minorities and one of the most powerful females in the newspaper industry. Astrid attended the Media Management Center’s Advanced Executive Program (AEP) at Northwestern University. Currently, she serves as Vice-President of Human Resources, Labor, and Operations at the San Jose Mercury News in San Jose, CA. Here are some responses from a Q&A with Astrid about NAMME and the newspaper industry.

What are some of the major issues facing the newspaper industry?
“One major issue we are facing is the uncertainty of classified revenue and the impact that will have on our current business market. Another issue we are facing is declining readership and the challenge of improving readership in the Hispanic community.”

How do you think newspapers are being affected by the increasing convergence of print and broadcasting mediums?
“The jury is still out on convergence. We have not been able to figure out the business model that works convergence and the Internet. They are currently up in the air.”

How do you see NAMME evolving and dealing with a changing media market?
“There is an opportunity. That kind of uncertainty breeds the opportunity to bring executives from various mediums and it can be a hot house for ideas.”

Are there any special issues you faced as both a female and minority in an executive position that you did not anticipate facing?
“Many times I sit at the table and I am the only woman and the only minority present. I’ve had to learn not to react to that and have grown to relish the role of being the first person in the position and being able to lend advice to others."