MEET OUR TEAM

Mark Pothier – Editor & CEO

Mark Pothier brings nearly four decades of journalistic experience to the Plymouth Independent. His extensive career at the Boston Globe includes positions such as Senior Assistant Editor, Assistant Managing Editor/Opinion, Business Editor, and was a regular contributor to the Globe’s Sunday magazine. Before being hired by the Globe in 2001, he was the Executive Editor for 14 years of MPG Newspapers, which included the Old Colony Memorial.

A dedicated educator, Mark spent nearly a decade teaching journalism writing and reporting at Harvard University’s Extension School. He was also a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, an honor bestowed upon only 12 U.S. journalists in his class. Mark has been associated with various prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News in 2014 and the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism in 2013.

Mark has lived in Plymouth since 1985 and is also an accomplished musician. He played professionally as the keyboardist for the band Ministry in the 1980s, opening for the rock groups The Police and Culture Club. He continues to write and play music for the band Adventure Set.

Mark can be reached at mark@plymouthindependent.org.

Andrea Estes – Reporter

Andrea Estes brings to the Plymouth Independent a legacy of impactful investigative journalism, with over two decades of experience at the Boston Globe. As a Plymouth resident, Andrea is deeply committed to shedding light on local issues that have long remained out of public view.

At the Globe, Andrea unearthed stories of corruption, abuse, and wrongdoing across Massachusetts, earning a reputation as a fearless journalist. Her reports have led to criminal prosecutions, firings, and policy reforms, and include exposing a kickback scheme by the Massachusetts Speaker of the House, uncovering ethical violations by state senator Brian Joyce, and revealing flaws in a Massachusetts lottery game that garnered national attention.

Andrea can be reached at andrea@plymouthindependent.org.

Fred Thys – Reporter

Fred Thys brings to the Plymouth Independent four decades of experience in documentaries, as a foreign correspondent, and as a reporter covering politics, higher education, and the economy at WBUR and VTDigger. He sees the need for deeper coverage of local issues.

At WBUR, Fred revealed that one of the hijackers had breached security at Logan Airport before 9/11. He uncovered a pattern of abuse of health care providers at the largest health center in Roxbury. He is proudest of breaking the story that the federal government misled the Supreme Court in the case that established the State Secrets privilege, which allows federal officials to prevent evidence from being presented at trial.

Fred can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.

Troy Finn – Chief Development Officer

Troy is a fundraising leader with decades of experience helping nonprofits achieve ambitious revenue goals. His expertise spans campaign planning, board development, major gifts, and fundraising analytics. Troy has counseled several nonprofit news organizations in Massachusetts, and has worked with prestigious institutions including Harvard, Columbia, and Dana-Farber. As CEO of Catalyst Campaign Partners, he leads a talented team of fundraising professionals focused on nonprofit growth strategies.

Troy can be reached at troy@plymouthindependent.org