Publishers Named in Battle Creek, Mich., and Ithaca, N.Y.
ARLINGTON, Va. — Two executive appointments were announced today in Gannett’s Newspaper Division.
— Ellen M. Leifeld becomes president and publisher of the Battle Creek (Mich.) Enquirer. She previously held a similar post at The Ithaca (N.Y.) Journal.
— Barry Rothfeld succeeds Leifeld as president and publisher in Ithaca. He formerly was editor of the Press & Sun-Bulletin at Binghamton, N.Y.
“Both Ellen and Barry have strong news backgrounds and a commitment to community newspapers,” said Gary L. Watson, president of the Newspaper Division. “These attributes will serve them very well in their new roles.”
Leifeld, who is returning to Battle Creek where she served as executive editor from 1990-1992, succeeds Randy M. Miller, who resigned.
Leifeld joined Gannett in 1974 at the Fremont (Neb.) Tribune, where she worked until 1981. She rejoined the company in 1986 as managing editor of the Lansing (Mich.) State Journal. She also has served as managing editor of the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle and Times-Union. She was named president and publisher in Ithaca in 1994.
Rothfeld joined the company in 1973 at Gannett Suburban Newspapers in White Plains, N.Y., where he later held several news management positions, including senior managing editor.
In 1990, he joined the Poughkeepsie (N.Y.) Journal as executive editor. He was named editor in Binghamton in 1994. He is a graduate of Queens College and Columbia University.
A successor to Rothfeld will be named shortly.
Gannett is a nationwide news and information company that publishes 90 daily newspapers, including USA TODAY, and USA WEEKEND, a newspaper magazine. Gannett also operates 18 television stations, five radio stations, cable television systems in five states and alarm security services.