Meet The Team

James E. Woofter is the current owner and publisher of The Cortland News (Fox Run Publishing, L.L.C.) and a prominent figure in Cortland, Ohio, having served the community through business, journalism, and local government.

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The Cortland News
Mr. Woofter first became involved with the paper in 2004 as its first manager. In January 2008, he purchased the newspaper and has since served as its owner and publisher.

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Civic and Political Service
Mr. Woofter dedicated a total of 18 years of service to the City of Cortland, including his time as a council member, President of Council, and Mayor.

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• He served on the Planning, Zoning and Building Commission for four years (1992–1995).

• He then served on City Council for ten years (2006–2015), including four years as President of Council (2012–2015).

• He was elected Mayor of Cortland in 2016 and served his last four years in that role, retiring at the end of his term on December 31, 2019.

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Business Career
Prior to his work with the newspaper, Mr. Woofter owned Woofter Photography, Inc. and worked as a professional photographer for 34 years, retiring in 2004. He holds the degree of Photographic Craftsman from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

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Other Involvement
A 1967 graduate of Lakeview High School, Mr. Woofter continued his education by attending Los Angeles Harbor College and Youngstown State University majoring in photography and business. He is also a Navy veteran who served on the destroyer USS Hugh Purvis (DD 709). He has also been involved in several community organizations:

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• Past charter member, president, and Paul Harris Fellow of Cortland Rotary Club.

• Founder and past member of the Cortland Community Band.

• Member of Old Erie Masonic Lodge #3, F & AM.

Larry was born in Warren, Ohio and spent most of his younger years in Cortland, graduating from Lakeview in 1967. He graduated from Kent State University with dual majors in Business & Marketing and minors in Graphic Design and Advertising.

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Larry has dedicated most of his career to the Medical-Surgical industry as a Sales Representative, Corporate Trainer, as well as managing training labs in Warsaw,
Indiana, Celebration, Florida & various facilities around the world which focused on training Surgeons & other Health Care Professionals in surgical procedures, techniques and specialized equipment.

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Larry has recently returned to the Cortland area after living and working at various locations around the country. He is married to his lovely wife, Kathleen and, together they have 3 sons, a daughter and 5 very special grandchildren.

I grew up in Youngstown but have considered Cortland my adopted home since 1987. After graduating from Ursuline High School in 1967, I attended Kent and YSU earning both a BS in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Technology. I taught at YSU, TCTC Adult Ed and Kent State, being named outstanding faculty member at Kent State-Geauga. My business experience includes owning several pizza and ice cream stores, including Tom Foolery’s in Cortland. For over 45 years I have played the role of Santa Claus during the Christmas season. For the last 30 years I have had a Medical Practice Consulting business helping Doctors manage and market their practices.

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Personally, I am the father of two grown children and seven grandchildren. My favorite past time is to spend time with my grandchildren! I have been active in numerous civic and business organizations over the years including Boy Scouts, [Eagle Scout], Little League, PTA, Rotary, Optimists, Chamber of Commerce, Merchants Associations. I served as a state Board Member for the Ohio Restaurant Association and was President of the Mahoning Valley Restaurant Association for 5 years. Currently I was recently appointed to the Mayor’s Strategic Planning Committee for Cortland.

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Apparently, I have completely missed the idea of what retirement is supposed to be!

Ralph has 45 years of Industrial Sales experience.

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Ralph is a life-long resident of Cortland and a graduate of Youngstown State University. Ralph has two successful sons, Christopher & Kevin. Paula, Ralph’s Wife, has a daughter, Leah Madera.

 

Ralph and his sons are graduates of Lakeview High School.