How Don Lehman Navigates The Ever-changing World of Local News
When the pandemic emerged in 2020, Don Lehman had just stepped into a newly created role as Director of Public Affairs for Warren County, New York. After spending 27 years as a writer and editor for The Post-Star, Lehman immediately faced the unprecedented challenge of leading local public health communications.
The state shifted pandemic oversight to individual counties, leaving Lehman to manage emergency messaging. Looking back on that turbulent transition, Lehman noted, “I counted 657 straight days of doing COVID-type work, trying to get all of the public health information out to the public”.
Transitioning from the Newsroom to Public Affairs
Lehman’s passion for journalism began at a young age. As a nine-year-old boy, he would accompany his father, a part-time sports reporter, to high school football games and write his own stories at the record office. That early experience translated into a nearly three-decade career at The Post-Star, where he covered the small business beat and local emergencies, including a tragic day involving two separate incidents in Washington County that resulted in eight fatalities.
However, the financial realities of modern newspaper publishing eventually prompted a career shift. The newsroom staff, which once boasted over 50 people, experienced severe reductions over the years. Lehman explained the reality of the changing media landscape, stating, “I think they’ve cut probably about 80, 85% of their newsroom positions over the past 12 to 15 years”.
Recognizing that local newspapers and television stations no longer had the resources to thoroughly cover municipal government, Warren County created Lehman’s position in 2019 to ensure residents stayed informed. Now, rather than racing to publish breaking news on Twitter, Lehman focuses on precision. “In the government realm, the biggest thing is to make sure it’s accurate,” Lehman said.
Keeping a Growing Community Informed
As Director of Public Affairs for Warren County, New York, Lehman manages press releases, emergency communications, and a growing social media presence across Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. The job requires constant adaptation, especially during the summer months when Warren County, NY experiences a massive influx of visitors. Because the local population triples in the summer, Lehman works closely with the county’s tourism department to keep both residents and tourists informed about local operations.
He also utilizes targeted social media campaigns to support community needs. For example, Lehman recently deployed paid social media advertising to help Warren County recruit new foster parents. He routinely uses these platforms to share updates on tax deadlines, job fairs, and regional achievements, such as a local district attorney winning an award from the state DA’s Association.
Volunteering for Kelly’s Angels
Beyond his government duties, Lehman applies his communications expertise to Kelly’s Angels, a regional charity founded by his friend and former News Channel 13 partner, Mark Mulholland. Lehman began by volunteering at the organization’s fundraisers before Mulholland’s late wife, Kelly, passed away from breast cancer. Today, Lehman manages the charity’s social media and public relations.
Kelly’s Angels provides scholarships to high school seniors who have faced adversity, distributing funds to one male and one female student across 14 different school districts. The organization also issues grants to help children facing family illness enjoy experiences like visiting a water park or attending a Yankee game. For Lehman, the volunteer work is deeply rewarding. “It’s really kind of heartening to have a lot of the people who we’ve helped come to these events and to hear how we’ve made an impact in their lives,” Lehman shared.
Looking ahead, Lehman will continue keeping residents connected through the Warren County website and social media channels while preparing for the next major Kelly’s Angels event. The charity will host its annual 5K run and walk next Mother’s Day at Spa State Park. Through both his professional and volunteer roles, Lehman remains focused on highlighting the stories, events, and essential information that shape Upstate New York.
