New HSPA Executive Director and General Counsel Amelia McClure Begins Tenure

Amerlia McClure

Amelia Dieter McClure begins her tenure this week as executive director and general counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association. HSPA represents 142 daily and weekly paid-circulation newspapers across Indiana. The trade association was founded in 1933. It lobbies on behalf of the state’s newspapers, provides legal information, training and other services to its members.

“I have big dreams and high hopes for how this body can drive our profession, but I do not take the helm without recognizing the myriad challenges that lay ahead for all of us,” McClure said in an email message this week to the state’s newspaper publishers and editors.

McClure replaces Stephen Key who retired at the end of April after 29 years with the organization.

HSPA’s Board of Directors selected McClure to head the association after a search that included more than 50 candidates. Since December 2021, she has served as HSPA’s government relations counsel and worked with Key during the last legislative session.

When McClure was hired, Larry Hensley, HSPA Board president and general manager with Gannett newspapers, said the board was excited to have McClure join the HSPA team.

“Her vision and desire to lead our organization will provide our members the resources to succeed in the future, and her commitment to protect our rights will endear her to all journalists in the state,” Hensley said.

McClure comes to HSPA from Indiana University where she served as assistant director for government relations and compliance for two and a half years. Prior to her time at IU, she was manager of government relations for Hosparus Health and a practicing attorney. She lobbied the state legislature on behalf of the university and Hosparus Health, successfully shepherding a bill allowing Indiana to join an interstate nursing compact through its passage in 2019.

McClure said among her first orders of business is to get to know members and listen to their thoughts. “This summer I am planning to visit you to see your newsrooms, learn your community and hear your needs,” McClure said in the email to publishers and editors.

“The purpose of an association is to service its members and I cannot do that without knowing and understanding the unique circumstances that Indiana newspapers face,” McClure said.

HSPA’s office is in Indianapolis. McClure can be reached at admcclure@hspa.com.