Libby Averyt

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Hall of Fame Class of 2024

If you study the criteria for induction into the Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame, Libby Averyt checks all the boxes:

  • Outstanding contributions to Texas newspaper journalism;
  • Extraordinary contribution to her community, region, the state and nation through newspaper journalism;
  • Advancing the legacy of a free and responsible press, and
  • Inspiring others to improve the quality of the profession of journalism.

And she did it all at one newspaper.

Libby Averyt spent her entire 30-plus year journalism career at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. She started on the news side, went to the advertising side and ended her career as president of the newspaper.

During her tenure, she established herself as a capable and courageous reporter and editor, an energetic and innovative revenue producer and the respected chief executive of one of Texas’ most-rewarded newspapers. At the same time, she was active as a civic leader and volunteer.

She served on the boards of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Aquarium, Charlie’s Place Recovery Center, Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Bend, of which she is now president and CEO. She also currently serves as a member of the Del Mar College Board of Regents.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Averyt started her newspaper career in 1986 at the Caller-Times covering the night police beat.

As a courts reporter in 1990, she drew national attention after refusing to answer questions from authorities about unpublished material from interviews with capital murder suspect Jermarr Arnold. She was held in contempt of court and spent the weekend in a jail cell.
She was a highly engaged member of the South Texas Press Association, Texas Gulf Coast Press Association,  Texas Press Association and National Newspaper Association.

Her journalistic commitment was recognized with the Edward Willis Scripps Award for Distinguished Service to the First Amendment.

In her more than 20 years in the news department, Averyt moved up in the ranks from rookie reporter to executive editor. While heading the newsroom, she led the newspaper to recognition five times as Newspaper of the Year along with numerous other awards from the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors association.

She also served a stint as the online general manager and vice president, later becoming vice president of advertising.

On Jan. 1, 2014, Averyt made history as the first woman to be named the newspaper’s publisher and went on to lead the newspaper through several changes of ownership.

Under Gannett ownership, in addition to serving as president of the Caller-Times, she oversaw Gannett’s news operations in Abilene, San Angelo and Wichita Falls.

Throughout all her roles in the newspaper industry, Averyt exemplified all the best of newspaper journalism and did so with passion.