Meet the staff
John Pilati
I am the Publisher of the Franklin Free Press. Along with former editor Jason Houston, I founded the paper in 2006. I am in charge of day-to-day operations of the newspaper as well as WGOL-920, my family’s locally-owned radio station.
I am a 1989 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where I hold a Journalism degree. Additionally, I am a 1992 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law. My parents are Karl and Jimmie Pilati of Russellville.
I am an avid sports fan and enjoys adventure and wildlife travel. I live in Russellville.
Email: jfp@franklinmediagroup.net
Kadin Pounders
I am the Sports Editor of the Franklin Free Press. I am a Russellville, Ala., native, and I graduated from the University of North Alabama in 2016 with a degree in Sports Management.
After graduating from UNA I served as Assistant Sports Information Director at Birmingham-Southern College for three years. Over the last nine years I've enjoyed working as a freelance sports statistician in my spare time, and I've been able to work some notable events. Before joining the Franklin Free Press, I was a part-time freelance writer, mostly covering high school sporting events for local papers in the Birmingham metro area.
Jason Hill
To communicate your businesses or individual ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate your customers. If your businesses doesn't have an identity or logo, I can still provide you with an attractive form of advertising.
Originally from Ohio, I live here in Russellville. I graduated from the University of North Alabama with a degree in Graphic Design. My wife is Dana and we have one child, Nicholas.
Contact us
Got a tip or story idea? Got feedback or comments on a recent story? Would you like to advertise in our paper? Let us know!