After a two year respite from the newspaper industry, The Covington News General Manager T. Pat Cavanaugh is thrilled about the prospect of getting back into the swing of things.

 Cavanaugh, who served as publisher of the Times Georgian in Carrolton in the mid-90s, sees his new position at the News as a homecoming of sorts, and is looking forward to getting to know the people and places of Newton County.

 "It's great to be home," Cavanaugh said. "I really believe in a community newspaper the GM needs to be fully involved in the community."

 Cavanaugh, along with his wife Molly, are relocating to Newton County from Casa Grande, Ariz., where he worked as a volunteer coordinator for RTA Hospice. At RTA, he was responsible for recruiting and training volunteers to work the hospice.

 "I enjoyed working for the hospice," he said. "It was really rewarding, and gave me a different perspective on life and has helped me in life."

 Cavanaugh is ready to be back in the paper business now - a business he knows all too well - it's a career that he started at the age of 14.

 He worked several years during high school and college for various newspapers working his way up from the mailroom to circulation director.

 In 1980, he began a 15-year stint with Worrell Enterprises, a family owned media company, based out of Charlottesville, Va. During that time Cavanaugh served as publisher for seven different community newspapers from California to Colorado to Virginia to Georgia.

 Cavanaugh was named publisher of the year numerous times during his tenure with Worrell Enterprises.

 From 1997 to 2004, Cavanaugh owned and published the News Enterprise in Los Alamitos, Calif. While there he succeeded in raising circulation from 2,000 to 30,000 readers.

 Through his years of service in the newspaper industry, Cavanaugh sees his strength as a community builder. He has been involved in Rotary, the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA board of directors and various other civic organizations.

 "The biggest thing I like is to be a part of things," Cavanaugh said. "I can't put a nail in straight, but I enjoy being a part of the community. A newspaper should be the heartbeat of a community. If it's going to be the heartbeat then you have to be a part of the heartbeat."

 Cavanaugh said he encourages anyone with suggestions or comments to call or come see him any time at the office. His number is (770) 787-6397 extension 47.