CRANBERRY TWP — Machan “Mace” Pavelek, the general manager at the Cranberry Eagle and the former Butler Eagle advertising manager, will retire on March 31 after almost 18 years with the company.

Pavelek accepted the advertising manager position at the Butler Eagle in 1999 after serving in circulation and advertising at Buckeye Publishing in Ohio.

At that time, Pavelek said the newspaper advertising industry was bolstered by the proliferation of chain stores, weekly ads from nearly every auto dealer, the advertising needs of the many small shops, and the relative rarity of Internet advertising.

“Look at the major chains that have closed, including Ames and Montgomery Ward,” Pavelek said. “Seventeen or 20 major chains have gone since I've been here.”

He recalled overhearing an advertiser at a restaurant during his first week with the Butler Eagle, who said he had placed an ad in the newspaper and couldn't believe the response he had gotten. “I thought it was a great thing to hear that,” Pavelek said.

Today, with alternative advertising, the average American sees 5,000 ads per day in various formats, Pavelek said.

“It's harder to get through the clutter now,” he said.

Asked how he waded through such huge changes in the field of advertising in the years since then, he pointed to the Eagle's priorities.

“It's a good product with good delivery,” Pavelek said.

In more recent years, Pavelek said the Eagle has endeavored to gauge the preferences of readers, namely through a survey he recalled.

“We've done a lot of things to try to find out what our readers look at and how to hold them,” he said.

Pavelek's favorite thing about his years of employment at the Eagle is the sense of freedom he has enjoyed as he has handled everything from personnel issues to bringing in revenue.

“The Eagle gave you the tools you needed and left you alone,” he said. “I think they have been a great company; I really do. The Wise family has been very good to work for, and I've enjoyed the people I've worked with.”

Pavelek said he feels he has been successful as a manager by being positive, avoiding the temptation to micromanage sales representatives, and listening to the concerns of his staff.

“People go into work every day and want to do a good job,” Pavelek said. “They really want to take pride in their work.”

He counts among his proudest achievements at the Eagle the startup of the Sunday Cranberry Eagle several years ago. Before that newspaper came to be, the Eagle's Cranberry operation produced the Cranberry Eagle only on Wednesdays. Now both papers are delivered each week.

Pavelek was instrumental in switching the delivery method of the Sunday Cranberry Eagle from mail to carriers.

“It's been a growth engine for us, but it's out of my hands now,” Pavelek said.

Ron Vodenichar, the Eagle's general manager and co-publisher, said Pavelek has been an outstanding asset to the company.

“He has represented us well and is one of the best revenue producers I have ever worked with,” Vodenichar said. “We will miss his drive and his tremendous effort he brought to the office every day.”

Michele Jurysta, the Cranberry Eagle's advertising manager, said Pavelek has been a mentor to her in her longtime career at the Eagle.

“Mace has been an invaluable benefit to me over the years,” Jurysta said. “He has not only been a great role model in my management career, but a kind and caring office mate.”

Upon retirement, Pavelek plans to work part-time in his longtime political polling business, which he will largely transfer to his son in the upcoming months.

He also will follow his hobbies of bicycling, golf and running. He is currently training for a half marathon.

Pavelek does not take his good health for granted.

“Thank God that I don't even have high blood pressure,” he said. “I only take vitamins and an aspirin every day.”

Pavelek also looks forward to spending more time with his wife of 39 years, Elma, his five grown children and his five grandchildren. But he admits he will look back fondly on his years with the Eagle.

“I've been very, very blessed to have a good company to work for and that I can retire on my own terms,” Pavelek said.

Vodenichar said he wishes Pavelek all the best.

“I hope he has a long and enjoyable retirement,” he said.