Our Team
Clark County Today has loaded itself with an experienced, award-winning staff.
Long-time area journalist Ken Vance was the first hire of Clark County Today owner and founder David Madore. Vance serves as editor of ClarkCountyToday.com, “Your News Source With Integrity.’’
After being hired as editor of the community news website in June 2016, Vance filled the Clark County Today staff with some familiar faces and names, not only to the editor but also to Clark County readers and residents as well.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the staff we have assembled,’’ Vance said. “I have worked with each of these individuals in the past. They are all veterans of the journalism industry in Clark County. Our wonderful employees will be our greatest resource as an organization and I know Clark County residents will respond to the content they will provide to ClarkCountyToday.com.’’
Here are some details about each individual staff member:
Ken Vance is an experienced editor and reporter, getting his start in the newspaper industry in 1987 as a reporter at The Columbian Newspaper in Vancouver.
Vance graduated from Stevenson High School in Stevenson, WA, and attended Clark College in Vancouver. He worked for The Columbian Newspaper from 1987-2001.
In addition to his time at The Columbian, Vance also worked as an on-air host for Entercom Broadcasting in Portland for more than five years and an on-air host for Alpha Broadcasting in Portland for several more. He was most recently a staff member of The Reflector Newspaper in Battle Ground, where he served as editor since 2010 and reporter since 2007.
Over the span of his career, Vance has covered a variety of topics, including professional, college, high school and youth sports; outdoor and recreational sports; city government; school district news; lifestyle features and more.
Vance’s work in the newspaper industry has won him awards, including a first place award from the Society of Professional Journalists for in-depth reporting.
Heidi Wetzler spent the last 25 years working for The Reflector Newspaper in mainly circulation and administrative roles, working alongside parents Marvin and Anne Case through 2010 and then continuing with the company until agreeing to join Clark County Today. Wetzler was The Reflector’s Employee of the Year in 2010.
Wetzler has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Willamette University in Salem, OR. She also currently enjoys part-time work as a nanny for a family in north Clark County.
Wetzler will fill an administrative role with Clark County Today, assuming a wide range of responsibilities.
Wetzler is a member of Crossroads Community Church in Vancouver, and serves in the Crossroads Kids Ministry. She resides in Battle Ground with her husband, Dan Wetzler. The two have three children – Dan Jr., 28, Savannah, 18, and Stefan, 16.
Some of Heidi’s hobbies include hiking and supporting her busy kids’ activities, including theater, opera and soccer.
Paul Valencia joins ClarkCountyToday.com after more than two decades of newspaper experience.
He became the face of high school sports coverage in Clark County during his 17 years at The Columbian. Before moving to Vancouver, Paul worked at Oregon daily newspapers in Pendleton, Roseburg, and Salem.
A graduate of David Douglas High School in Portland, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving three years as a soldier/journalist.
He and his wife Jenny recently celebrated their 2th anniversary. They have a daughter who has a passion for karate and Minecraft.
Paul’s hobbies include: Watching the Raiders play football, reading about the Raiders playing football, and waiting to watch and read about the Raiders playing football.
Andi Schwartz has been working in the world of Graphic Design since 1998. Everything from screen-printing and embroidery to newspaper layout and now web and video editing.
Born in Vancouver, Schwartz graduated from Fort Vancouver High School and then attended Mt. Hood Community College for their Graphic Design program. Prior to joining the ClarkCountyToday.com team, Andi served nine years working for The Reflector Newspaper in Battle Ground, Washington.
Schwartz and her husband live in Vancouver with their sons, dog, cat and chicken.