Forman takes over as LPA President

BAYOU CHICOT -- Garland Forman’s passion for journalism began at an early age.
His father, Ray Forman, worked in the composition room of the Alexandria Daily Town Talk. When he wasn’t throwing newspapers and shoppers with his dad, the younger Forman would spend many a day with the elder Forman at work, and was exposed to all facets of the newspaper business.
“Back in those days my dad worked with hot lead,” Forman remembered. “I learned all the ins and outs of newspaper business, and just not the writing part. I understood the things that went into putting the paper on the press to how it was delivered. It was a great experience.”
Forman will be utilizing that experience, and his more than three decades in the business, in the role of Louisiana Press Association President. Forman was passed the gavel during the LPA Convention held at L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles.
“I have looked back over the years at the conventions that I have been involved with,” Forman said. “I remember all the presidents that have run this organization and how much I respect them. I feel extremely honored that they have asked me to do this.”
Forman grew up in Pineville and graduated from Pineville High School in 1976. He would attend Louisiana College, finishing his studies at the Baptist college in 1980. After trying his hand in private business, Forman started working as a freelance journalist for the Ville Platte Gazette and later the Eunice News, while also spending a few years working at KEUN-FM in Eunice. Forman then returned to the Gazette and worked as a full-time reporter.
”I did sports early on,” Forman said. “I remember just covering some really great high school football at that time. I feel covering those great sporting events helped develop my skills as a reporter.”
In August of 1987, Forman was named the Sports Editor at the Bunkie Record and then in May of 1988 was promoted to Editor. Less than a decade later in 1996, Forman would earn the title of General Manager, a position he has held ever since. Forman also contributes to the Marksville Weekly News and the Avoyelles Journal.
Forman remains grateful to those individuals with Louisiana State Newspapers (LSN) who believed that he was capable of leading a newsroom.
He cites former Gazette Sports Editor Marty Heintz, former Eunice News Editor Ben Reed, the Avoyelles Publishing’s Randy and Susan Decuir, Gazette Publisher David Ortego, LSN Chief Operating Officer Darrell Guillory and LSN Owner B.I. Moody as those who aided greatly in his development.
“They took a chance on me to start running the newspaper,” Forman said.
“I had a lot to learn but they guided me through it.”
Under his guidance at the Bunkie Record, Forman has been instrumental in the small-town newspaper winning hundreds of awards in the annual LPA Writing Contest, including claiming Newspaper of the Year honors three times, and Editorial Sweepstakes six times.
“I think a lot of it has to do with the community,” Forman said. “They really welcomed me and we liked each other. I think the people respected what I wrote about the community. We’ve had some interesting stories over the years that have been good and bad. Bunkie has been very good to me.”
For several years, Forman has served as Chairman or Co-Chairman of the LPA Contest Committee before being named to the LPA Board of Directors in 2007. Forman has also served on the Legislative Committee while a member of the board.
In addition to his work with the LPA, Forman served as President of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association for two years, and serves on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Forman has also become a visible member of the greater Bunkie community.
He has served on the Chamber of Commerce Board for several years, including two years as president; been a member of the Bunkie Rotary Club since 1988, serving three two-year terms as president of the organization; held the position of Chairman of the Louisiana Corn Festival for two years; and has been president of the Bunkie Panther Club, which supports local high school sports, since the early 1990’s.
Forman has been married to Debbie Forman for 38 years, reside in the Bayou Chicot area and have four children (Patrick, Susan, Jason and James), and two grandchildren (Ethan and Colin).
Forman knows that his new role comes with plenty of responsibility, especially considering the current state of the newspaper industry.
“I think the biggest challenge is dealing with the ever-changing continuity of the industry,” Forman said. “I think our goal is to keep as many papers as we can involved with the LPA and move the organization forward. We have a strong organization and we want to make it stronger.”