LAPLACE – Ellen Ishmael was recently named as publisher of L’Observateur.

The new LaPlace resident is a native of Durham, N.C.

She and her husband, John, have moved into the community with plans to invite more public input to the newspaper, which will be 85 years old in January.

Ishmael is a graduate of Duke University with a marketing degree. In 1989, she started her newspaper career at the Durham Herald-Sun, then spent nine years at Print Marketing Concept in Houston, where she was an advertising consultant for local newspapers.

She joined Wick Communications, the parent company of L’Observateur, in October 1998, as advertising director of the Daily Herald of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.

While there, Ishmael earned the North Carolina Governor’s Award in 1999 for Outstanding Volunteer Service and in 2001 was named the Chamber of Commerce’s volunteer of the year.

She has served on boards of directors for United Way, American Red Cross and Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

“I’m thrilled to be in LaPlace,” Ishmael said. “I’m looking forward to working and living in the community. I’m open to any input to improve L’Observateur’s place in the community.”