Rick Bussler is publisher and owner of the Steele County Times, where he leads the company’s operations and directs its strategy. His overall goal in recent years has been to make the Times become one of the leading models for local news in Minnesota, especially in rural Minnesota.

Over the past six years, the Times has grown by nearly 60%, which is remarkable for any newspaper, large or small. In 2022, the circulation surpassed the daily newspaper in Owatonna.

Johnnie Phillips is an avid sports fan whose love for athletics suits him perfectly as the Steele County Times’ sports editor. He has a passion for photography and storytelling, and lives to capture the moments that become lifelong memories.