Like father, like son
Ralph Castaneda to take over for retiring father as Independent production manager

Independent staff

GALLUP — Ralph Castaneda has been promoted to production manager of The Independent, said publisher Bob Zollinger.

Castaneda, who has been with Independent four years, replaces his father, Lawrence Castaneda, who is retiring after nearly 50 years.

Ralph Castaneda will oversee the day-to-day production of the paper as well as servicing and maintaining nearly $1 million in computer equipment. He also oversees seven full-time production employees as well as acting as a liaison between several departments within The Independent.

"A basic overview is that I am responsible for making sure things happen in a timely manner, that the hardware and equipment are functioning properly."

A Gallup native and graduate of Gallup High School, Castaneda earned an associate degree in electronics before going to work for National Cash Register where he serviced and maintained everything from automated teller machines to mini computers in a district that stretched from Gallup to Cortez, Colo.

As The Independent began upgrading equipment and software, it became increasingly clear that the paper would need additional help overseeing and troubleshooting it.

And after 20 years on the road, Castaneda, who is married and has five children, said he was ready for a job that would keep him closer to his home and family.

"They said we need to talk to you sometime" about the troubleshooter position, Castaneda said. "I said 'how about tomorrow'?

"It was challenging," he said of the change from working by himself and setting his own hours to working a more 9-to-5 job in an office setting. "One of the things my wife was concerned about was that I'd be bored. But every day there is something new to tackle. It's been far from boring."

One of the challenges for Castaneda is keeping up with technological advances in the newspaper industry that are coming at a break-neck pace.

"The technology is changing so fast it's hard to keep up with," Castaneda said. "It used to be that (newspaper) equipment changed every 20 to 25 years. Now it changes every 20 to 25 months."

Zollinger concurs.

"When I took over the paper, everything was mechanical. Slowly, we've moved to computers," he said. "Our success has been due to the progression of our equipment.

"Ralph has helped us and will continue to help us make that transition."

Still, Castaneda said the thrill of receiving the promotion is somewhat tempered.

"I have some very mixed feelings" about the promotion, he said. "I don't feel, personally like I know all I should about the job. And I feel like I'm pushing Dad out."

Nonsense, said John Zollinger, who purchased The Independent in 1964 and is chairman of the newspaper.

"We are very fortunate to have Ralph," John Zollinger said. "He's earned the right to be where he is."

Bob Zollinger agrees.

"He's learning very well," he said. "It's a huge transition. One day you're working with people then the next day you're their boss. But Ralph will do an excellent job."