The Wake County Community Newspaper group is becoming more of a family everyday. That’s the idea new General Manager for the papers Wendy Welker hopes to build on. Heartland Publications named Welker as general manager Aug. 30.

“We have a valuable product and I feel like we will be able to grow as our communities grow,” Welker said.

She hopes to embrace each of the communities served by the group: Apex, Cleveland, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and Apex.

“Each community is unique with its own flavor, personalities and character. We need to treat it as such, embracing those qualities and showcasing all the things that make each town a wonderful place to live,” Welker said.

She has worked for Heartland Publications for nearly two years and previously served the Holly Springs community as the Senior Advertising Sales Representative for the Holly Springs Sun. Before that, she was active in area schools.

Welker lives in Willow Spring with her husband, Mike, and three children, Jackson, Logan and Mikayla. She has lived in North Carolina for six years.

Taking over ad sales in Holly Springs will be Michael Akins, a 2008 University of North Carolina at Greensboro communication studies graduate and Fuquay-Varina alumnus.

Akins has experience working with the Holly Springs community as a program supervisor for Parks and Recreation. For nine years, he supervised part-time staff and headed up track out programs, summer programs and some athletics.

He is excited to be back in the community and watch the businesses grow.

“I’m excited to help a community that has helped me for so many years,” Akins said.

He has been engaged to Gina Arthur, a third grade teacher at Carpenter Elementary in Cary, since 2008. The two live in Cary with their German Shepherd, Bella.