Gannett Announces Appointments After Acquiring Central Newspapers
ARLINGTON, Va. — Several key executive appointments were announced today in the Newspaper Division of Gannett Co., Inc. as the result of the completion of the acquisition of Central Newspapers, Inc.
Sue Clark-Johnson becomes chairman and CEO of Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. She continues as senior group president of the Pacific Newspaper Group.
Mary Stier becomes president and publisher of The Des Moines (Iowa) Register and senior group president of the Midwest Newspaper Group.
Barbara Henry, who previously had been president and publisher in Des Moines, becomes president and publisher of The Indianapolis Star. She succeeds Dale Duncan, who becomes a general executive in the Newspaper Division.
John M. Zidich becomes president and publisher of the Reno (Nev.) Gazette Journal, succeeding Clark-Johnson. He previously was director of sales in Reno.
In addition to The Arizona Republic in Phoenix and The Indianapolis Star, the former Central Newspapers include three dailies and a group of weeklies in Indiana and the Alexandria Town Talk in Louisiana.
“What we have in Phoenix is an excellent example of two plus two equaling five,” said Gary L. Watson, president of the Newspaper Division. “Sue Clark-Johnson brings an outstanding record as a Gannett editor, publisher and group executive to complement the experience of the Phoenix management team. We’re excited about the prospects.”
In Indianapolis, Watson said that Henry “has demonstrated clearly she is prepared to assume this new, greater responsibility. Her extensive background as an editor and newspaper executive will be invaluable in leading The Indianapolis Star to continued growth, prosperity and service to our readers, advertisers and the community.”
“Mary Stier is returning to her adopted home state,” Watson said. “Her understanding of Iowa — and the historic role of The Des Moines Register — are tremendous assets. In addition, she becomes a senior group president in recognition of her leadership of the Midwest Group for the past several years.”
Clark-Johnson joined Gannett in 1967 in the News Department of the Niagara (N.Y.) Gazette, where she held a variety of positions, including editor, before becoming president and publisher in 1977.
In 1983, she was named president and publisher of the Binghamton (N.Y.) Press & Sun-Bulletin, where she also served as a regional vice president. In 1985, she moved to Reno, where she has served as president and publisher of the Reno Gazette-Journal. In addition, she has served as a regional president and senior group president.
Stier joined Gannett in 1982 as retail advertising manager of the Iowa City Press-Citizen, where she later served as advertising director and president and publisher. In 1991, she was named president and publisher of the Rockford (Ill.) Register Star. She also has served as a regional vice president and group president. Stier is a graduate of the University of Iowa.
A successor to Stier as president and publisher in Rockford will be named shortly.
Henry has served as president and publisher in Des Moines since 1996. She joined the company in 1974 as a reporter at the Reno Gazette-Journal, where she later held various positions, including managing editor and executive editor. She also was an editor at USA TODAY during its launch in 1982 and later served as editor of the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle. In 1994, she was named president and publisher of the Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune.
Zidich joined Gannett at The Record in Stockton, Calif. At The Record, he served as a retail account executive and national advertising manager. In 1992, he was named retail advertising manager in Reno. He became advertising director in 1993 and director of sales in 1997.
Gannett Co., Inc. is an international news and information company that now publishes 99 daily newspapers in the USA, including USA TODAY, the nation’s largest-selling daily newspaper. The company also owns in excess of 200 non-daily publications and USA WEEKEND, a weekly newspaper magazine. In the United Kingdom, Gannett subsidiary Newsquest plc publishes nearly 300 titles, including 15 daily newspapers. Gannett also operates 22 television stations in the United States and is an Internet leader with sites sponsored by most of its TV stations and newspapers including USATODAY.com, one of the most popular news sites on the Web.