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LAPLACE – Christine Layton Browning was recently promoted to general manager at L’OBSERVATEUR. The official move was made several months after Browning, on an interim basis, assumed many of the duties of former publisher Stephen Hemelt upon his promotion and subsequent departure to a larger news market in Texas.

Browning has been with the paper for more than 10 years, and has served as an advertising sales representative, graphics designer, Notary Public and office manager before assuming the top spot. She still often answers the phone herself, and is the first person seen when walking into the building.

She came to this job with previous experience in the banking, accounting and customer service industries, and she puts that experience to use in the day-to-day management of L’OBSERVATEUR, a twice-weekly newspaper that has been in business since 1913. The paper has seen a few changes in ownership in over a century. LaPlace NewsMedia, LLC was formed in 2014 when L’OBSERVATEUR and its niche products were purchased by Carpenter NewsMedia, LLC, a division of Boone Newspapers, Inc. which operates approximately 80 publications across 12 states.

Browning has already shown through her actions a willingness to let her employees do what they do best, although she is there to offer help as needed. She says the little yellow building in the back of Destiny Christian Center contains a lot more than just a newspaper. It holds a variety of growth opportunities for community businesses, more than we have ever had before. Along with our printed products and quarterly magazine, we have new digital products that can be offered to our advertising clients – now and into the future.

Browning said, “Above all, L’OBSERVATEUR is your community newspaper. We strive to cover local events, tell your stories and share news and photos that make tomorrow’s memories.”