Alan Horton Retires After 35 Years at Scripps

By: E&P Staff The senior vice president of the E.W. Scripps Co.'s newspaper division, Alan Horton, announced his retirement from the company today, effective December 31. He is 61.

Horton is ending his 35-year run with Scripps, where he started as a reporter with The Cincinnati Post after his graduation from Yale University. He served in many positions with the company including Washington correspondent, editor, publisher, and, finally, senior vice president.

"If he could have hit a curve ball, Alan Horton's career might have taken him from playing at Yale to the Reds or Yankees," said William Burleigh, chairman of the company, in a statement. "However, it was Scripps' good fortune that he became a big leaguer for us instead. In the course of his long and distinguished tenure, he has managed to hit every pitch thrown his way and to find a sure place in the record books. From Pentagon reporter to newspaper editor to corporate executive, Alan has served the company with high ideals and soaring talent. He's earned his place in our Hall of Fame."

Under Horton's watch, Scripps added four newspapers in Texas, strengthened its presence along Florida's Treasure Coast, and formed a joint operating agreement with MediaNews Group in the Denver market, where its Rocky Mountain News twice won the Pulitzer Prize.

"I don't feel my age and I still love what I do, but I've been doing my current job for almost 11 years," Horton said in a statement. "It's time for someone to take a fresh look at how our newspapers do their thing. And it's definitely time for me to find ways to give back and enjoy my grandchildren."

Scripps tapped Richard Boehne, executive vice president of Scripps, to handle the day-to-day management of the newspaper division after Horton leaves.