Patrick Dorsey is named president of SNPA, to succeed Les Simpson
Patrick Dorsey, regional vice president for the Coastal Group of GateHouse Media, and publisher of the Herald-Tribune Media Group in Sarasota, Fla., has been named president of SNPA, effective immediately.
He was appointed by the SNPA Executive Committee to succeed Les Simpson, who stepped down after leaving the Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News. Simpson plans to stay in Amarillo and work outside the newspaper industry.
MOREBrandon Hughes stepping down as publisher in Lubbock
Lubbock (Texas) Avalanche-Journal Publisher Brandon Hughes announced Tuesday he's stepping down from the position.
MOREAmarillo Globe-News Publisher Les Simpson stepping down after 15 years
SNPA President Les Simpson, publisher of the Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News since 2002, announced his resignation Tuesday morning, saying, "the timing is best for me and this newspaper."
MORETillotson inducted into newspaper Hall of Fame
Dolph Tillotson, who, during a career spanning nearly 50 years has earned a reputation for developing hard-edge community newspapers, was among four journalists inducted last Friday into the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame.
Additional inductees were: Victor Fain, former publisher of The Daily Sentinel in Nacogdoches, who died in 2000 at age 84; John C. Taylor Jr., former Seguin Gazette owner and publisher, who died in 2014 at age 88; and longtime Associated Press correspondent Mike Cochran.
MORECox Enterprises promotes Sonji Jacobs
Cox Enterprises has named Sonji Jacobs to the new position of assistant vice president of corporate communications.
MORERobyn Tomlin and Lauren Gustus named regional editors at McClatchy
McClatchy has announced a new regional structure for news and named Robyn Tomlin and Lauren Gustus as regional editors. Tomlin, currently managing editor at The Dallas Morning News, will be based in Raleigh, N.C., and will be responsible for the seven McClatchy newsrooms in the Carolinas. Gustus, currently executive editor of McClatchy's Star-Telegram in Fort Worth, Texas, will be based in Sacramento and will be responsible for McClatchy's five California newsrooms plus The Idaho Statesman in Boise. They will begin in their new roles in February.
MORELisa Chappell named publisher of Cleburne Times Review
Lisa Chappell, a veteran Texas newspaper executive, has been appointed publisher of the Cleburne Times Review. She replaces Kay Helms, who recently retired.
MOREAhrens named new GM for Central Missouri Newspapers
WEHCO Media has announced that Zach Ahrens will take over as general manager of Central Missouri Newspapers Inc. beginning Jan. 17.
Ahrens will oversee the day-to-day operation of the Jefferson City News Tribune, Fulton Sun and California Democrat newspapers and HER Magazine, as well as CMNI's commercial printing facility and Flypaper digital marketing agency.
MOREStar's chairman, former publisher resigns
H. Brandt Ayers, former publisher of The Anniston Star, resigned his role as chairman of the board of directors of the company that owns the newspaper last Thursday, after a series of allegations against him.
"It is of utmost importance to me that this newspaper continue to serve its role of reporting on matters of concern to the Anniston community and that nothing stand in the way of preserving the newspaper as an independently owned publication serving this community," Ayers wrote. "I feel my resignation at this time is in the best interests of the paper and its mission."
Ayers, known nationwide as one of the few Southern newspapermen who openly supported racial integration in the 1960s, fell from public grace this week after a former reporter, Veronica Pike Kennedy, accused him of spanking her, against her will, in The Star's newsroom in the 1970s. Other women, who have asked that their names not be used, told The Star similar stories of spankings.
MORETennessean president to step down
Laura Hollingsworth, president of The Tennessean and the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee, is leaving the company, the longtime media executive announced on Monday in a newsroom address to all Tennessean employees.
MOREKatherine Miller named GM at The Cullman Times
Katherine Miller, a news industry veteran of more than 20 years, has been named general manager of The Cullman (Ala.) Times. Miller assumes the duties immediately and will continue to serve as publisher of the News-Courier of Athens.
MoreKathy Malm named regional general manager of Kansas papers
Kathy Malm, a longtime newspaper advertising salesperson, one-time chamber executive and central Kansas rancher, has been named regional general manager for GateHouse Media newspapers in Hutchinson, Salina and Hays, Kan.
MoreVanHorn announces plans to retire
Edward VanHorn, executive director of SNPA and the SNPA Foundation, has announced that he will retire at the end of 2019 after 43 years at SNPA.
"I have enjoyed every minute of my career at SNPA," VanHorn said. "It is a great organization that does important work for an industry that is crucial to the well-being of every person in this country. It has been an honor and privilege to work with the journalists and publishers who run newspapers in communities in the South and all over the United States."
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