Carol Daniels, media executive and tireless advocate for Tennessee press, dies at 59

For those who knew her, Carol Goss Daniels was a force of nature.

As executive director of the Tennessee Press Association, Daniels was the primary lobbyist for the organization’s 133 member newspapers and a tireless champion of the First Amendment.

On Saturday, Daniels died in her home after an eight-year battle with colon cancer, the Tennessee Press Association announced. She was 59.

In a changing industry, she led the news organization through challenging times, and was known for her high energy and ability to find creative solutions for members, TPA President Chris Vass said.

“She was simultaneously relentless and compassionate, always willing to listen,” Vass said in a statement. “When you knew Carol was involved, you knew to expect a first-class result.”

Michael A. Anastasi, vice president and editor of The Tennessean and regional editor for the USA TODAY Network’s news organizations throughout the state, said Daniels understood the importance of independent news.

“Carol worked tirelessly on behalf of a free press in Tennessee,” he said. “She was particularly passionate about journalism and independent news in rural communities. She understood the importance of journalism in service of democracy and the very real threat that news deserts would pose in our state. She was fully engaged in that fight right up to the end.”

Originally from Canada, Daniels served as executive vice president of Tennessee Press Service, which represents the sales and marketing interests for the state’s newspapers.

Dave Gould, owner of Main Street Media of Tennessee and president of the Tennessee Press Service, said Daniels helped to turn around the struggling organization and built an outstanding team.

“Our industry has been going through such incredible change and Carol was always so positive, passionate, optimistic and encouraging,” he said in a statement. “She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her as she battled cancer. No matter what Carol was going through or how bad she felt, she never complained and continued to forge ahead.”

Those who knew her said Daniels was a champion for women and valued strong relationships, beginning with her two daughters, Megan and Samantha.

“She was certainly a force,” Megan Lane, who owns Lane Government Relations, said in a statement. “She was one of my first clients when I ventured out on my own, and she decided to take a leap of faith in hiring me. She always said it was because she wanted to invest in the next generation of women — a lesson I will pay forward because of her.”

Daniels active in nonprofit work

In addition to her main work, Daniels brought her marketing and business experience to many nonprofit organizations, including Belle Meade Plantation, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, the Nashville Rescue Mission and the Nashville Symphony. She also chaired annual fundraising events and worked with staff on marketing efforts.

She won the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Volunteer of the Year award in 2013. She served on the boards for Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Project Cure and the Andrew Jackson Foundation, which supports the Hermitage.

“She was a courageous, determined, creative, and caring person,” Howard Kittell, president and CEO of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, said in a statement. “She lived in the land of possibility and worked to make the possible a reality.”

Career began in Canadian media

Before moving to Tennessee in 2007, Daniels worked in the media industry in Canada, beginning her career at the Calgary Sun in Alberta. As director of digital sales and development for the Sun, she worked to build its website and digital presence, leading the paper into the digital age.

In Toronto, she served as the national sales and marketing director for Canoe, the Canada-wide digital presence of Sun Media.

In 2012, Daniels joined The Leaf-Chronicle in Clarksville where she served as sales and marketing director and later as general manager. She was involved in many Montgomery County organizations, including the Gateway Chamber Orchestra, Manna Café Ministries and Customs House Museum.

She is survived by her husband of 15 years, Frank Daniels III of Clarksville; her daughters, Megan Danielle Duthie of Knoxville and her husband Tyler Koontz, and Samantha Mary Miravalle of Augusta, Georgia; by her step-children, Kimberly Daniels Taws and husband John of Southern Pines, North Carolina; Frank Daniels IV and wife Ellie of Southern Pines, North Carolina; and Joseph Daniels of Nashville; by her mother, Christine Lund of Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada; her brother Chris Goss of Longview, Alberta, Canada; and her sister Connie Jones and her husband Brad of Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada; by four grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.

A visitation is planned for Saturday at 1 p.m. and a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Both will be held at the Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home. 1510 Madison St., Clarksville, Tennessee.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Press Association: Carol Daniels, advocate for press, dies