Jim Gatens has joined the Bellevue Reporter as Regional Advertising Sales Manager. He will oversee the advertising staffs of the Bellevue Reporter, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter and Mercer Island Reporter.

“I’m excited to be here serving the communities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish and Mercer Island,” Gatens said. “I love working with local business and partnering with civic and city organizations in events that enhance the lives of the local residents. I’m looking forward to learning the unique qualities of each of these communities.”

Gatens is a Washington state native and Eastside resident. He has been in management, sales and customer service for more than 32 years.

He has been with Sound Publishing for more than four years working at the Redmond Reporter. He started out as an advertising sales representative. After two years he was promoted to sales manager of the Redmond Reporter.

He believes in integrating the local paper into the community through active interaction and taking part in the many activities each community has to offer, he said. He attributes success in sales and readership to the familiarity and appreciation of the uniqueness of the community the paper covers.