The people who make the delivery happen.

Leadership

Our team.

• 

  Rick Epstein

  COO, ANS Holdings; President, American Newspaper Solutions

  Rick has served in this role for the past 20 years. He brings 54 years of newspaper experience to the company with a primary focus on Newspaper Distribution, Logistics Planning, Sales and Software Development.

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  As part of the pioneering team at ANS, he and the company have developed the premier newspaper distribution software ecosystem, CarrierTrack®, which engages both the mobile (iOS and Android) and web environments. He has led the expansion of the company to become a leader in all aspects of paid and non-paid newspaper distribution and other distribution modalities, including last-mile delivery.

  Epstein’s innovations have revolutionized the newspaper industry, including innovating the use of warehouses as distribution centers, permitting the newspaper to seize efficiencies by creating the ability to pre-ship advance product without the need to add trucks for storage. He also invented the use of material handling carts for the distribution of newspaper bundles and bagged papers. His multi-decade career with The Miami Herald also included the introduction of the newspaper’s first alternate delivery program, which enhanced revenue and produced significant process improvements. He was the first in the country to deliver weekly magazines alongside newspaper delivery.

  Rick directed the Circulation Operation of The Plain Dealer as Vice President. He led the team that developed a state-of-the-art Circulation System that was a decade ahead of any other competitive software package. He was also the Vice President of The Washington Times before coming to ANS.

  Epstein is a graduate of the University of Miami, Fla. He also holds a Certificate from Northwestern University, Ill.

• 

  Glenn Murphy

  Senior Regional Director, Northern United States

  Glenn has more than 40 years of experience in the newspaper industry. For the past 10 years, Glenn has been with American Newspaper Solutions, LLC, developing new markets for distribution and helping to perfect our robust verification methods and innovative technologies.

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  Prior to ANS, Glenn spent 28 years at The Washington Times, where over the years he held several positions within the Circulation Dept. Murphy managed and helped to enhance many newspaper technologies, including “RouteSmart”, “Voice-Port”, “TeleDirect” and “DTI”. He created a Quality Control Department that increased company revenue by 22% and customer retention by 25%.

  One of Murphy’s biggest accomplishments was developing and managing The Washington Times “Neighborhood Direct” advertising program, where he brought in American Newspaper Solutions, LLC to handle all of the distribution using ANS’s rock-solid distribution methods and state-of-the-art technology.

  Prior to working at The Times, Murphy worked in Circulation Sales with the Philadelphia Inquirer. Murphy has dedicated his entire career to the newspaper industry.

• 

  Ben Howell

  Senior Regional Director, Southern United States

  With more than two decades of experience in newspaper distribution, logistics, and operational leadership, Ben Howell serves as Senior Regional Director at American Newspaper Solutions (ANS), overseeing operations across 11 distribution facilities throughout Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

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  Ben began his career at The Gainesville Sun in 2003 as a District Manager, advancing to Senior District Manager in 2009 and Home Delivery / Zone Manager in 2016. In 2019, he expanded his responsibilities to include Single Copy operations, bringing multiple distribution channels under unified management. Throughout his tenure, he established a strong record of operational efficiency and service excellence, consistently achieving some of the lowest Complaints Per Thousand (CPM) performance metrics in Florida.

  In 2021, Ben assumed expanded operational oversight of the Gainesville and Ocala markets, taking on responsibilities previously managed at the Director level. Among his notable accomplishments was the rapid stabilization of Ocala’s distribution operations, transforming a market challenged by double-digit open routes and elevated complaint rates into one with 100% route coverage and exceptional service performance within just three months.

  Since joining ANS in March 2024, Ben has applied his extensive operational experience to strengthening regional performance, improving distribution efficiency, and developing scalable processes across multiple markets. His leadership encompasses contractor network management, financial and operational performance, route optimization, service accountability, and the integration of technology-driven delivery verification and reporting systems. With a focus on operational consistency, measurable results, and continuous improvement, Ben remains committed to building reliable, efficient distribution networks that deliver lasting value to ANS and its publishing partners.

• 

  Ernesto Grippa

  Northeast Market Director

  Ernesto is one of the most tenured employees of ANS. He began his career over 21 years ago with the distribution of the Total Market Coverage (TMC) products of the Star-Ledger in a large part of New Jersey, and soon became the senior manager of that operation.

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  He also created the ANS product sample operation, which included markets stretching from Washington, D.C. to Boston, Mass.

  At ANS, he has developed and managed distribution for its client Gannett Newspapers in Morris, Middlesex, and Somerset counties in New Jersey. He also converted the Asbury Park Press in Monmouth and Ocean counties in New Jersey from delivery by the U.S.P.S. to carrier delivery.

  Presently, Ernesto is the Senior Operations Manager for TMC and Selective Distribution for all of ANS. He provides organizational leadership, as well as logistical and administrative support, for the weekly distribution to over 700,000 homes each week in the northern United States. His vision and passion for customer service-oriented distribution support clients that include USA TODAY Co. and Hearst Newspapers.

  Before ANS, Ernesto worked in distribution for FedEx and in Industrial Engineering at Tyco. He studied Industrial Engineering at university before beginning his career.