NORFOLK, Va. – Andrew Johnson, president of the WNA Foundation, took over the role of National Newspaper Association president Saturday at the annual NNA Convention in Norfolk, Va.

In his remarks at the convention, Johnson highlighted the importance of newspapers in local communities. To illustrate this point, Johnson walked to the podium blindfolded with assistance from his wife, Laura.

“It clearly shows what a person who runs a newspaper looks like without NNA or what a community looks like without a newspaper,” Johnson said. “I can not imagine not having NNA or a newspaper in my community in these challenging times.”

» Read the full text of Andrew Johnson’s speech

Johnson, who is publisher of the (Mayville) Dodge County Pionier, Campbellsport News and the Kewaskum Statesman, succeeds Susan Rowell, publisher and regional manager of The Lancaster (S.C.) News and Carolina Gateway.

NNA is teaming up with the WNA and Quad Graphics to host its 2019 convention at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee on Oct. 3-4.

“Like NNA, this is an experience you won’t want to miss,” Johnson said.

WNA Executive Director Beth Bennett, who also attended the conference, spoke as part of a panel on newsprint tariffs, along with Reed Anfinson, president of the NNA Foundation, Seth Kursman, vice president of corporate communications, sustainability and government relations for Resolute Forest Products and Matt Paxton, past president of the NNA.

Bennett spoke to Wisconsin role in fighting the tariffs, which were ultimately reversed.