'Chicago Sun-Times' Publisher Takes on New Duties in STMG Reorg

By: E&P Staff Sun-Times Media Group (STMG) Tuesday announced a series of management changes, and the departure of two longtime executives.

John Barron, publisher of the flagship Chicago Sun-Times, has been given the additional title of publisher of the Pioneer Press division, making him responsible for its chain of weekly papers and North Shore magazine.

Larry Green, who had been the division's president and publisher, is retiring, STMG said.

Lisa Tatina was been named publisher of the Post-Tribune in Gary, Ind. She was most recently the daily's vice president of advertising for the Post-Tribune. She replaces Murdoch Davis, who is also leaving the company.

Fred Lebolt, who is president and Publisher of STMG's Fox Valley Publications as well as of new media integration, takes on two additional titles. Lebolt will be the president and publisher of the newly formed Sun-Times Media Group Suburban News Division, which combines what had been Midwest Suburban Publishing with the Fox Valley Publications division.

In addition, STMG said, Lebolt was named publisher of the Lake County News-Sun in Waukegan, Ill., and SouthtownStar newspapers based in Tinley Park, Ill.

Barbara Swanson, who is currently group vice president of advertising and marketing for the Sun-Times News Group, STMG's principal operating subsidy, will also have additional direct responsibilities for all local advertising functions as the new senior vice president of advertising and marketing for the Sun-Times News Group.

Jerry Alger, vice president of business operations at Fox Valley Publications, was also named vice president of advertising sales for the Southern Region, which include the SouthtownStar and PennySaver groups. He will report to Swanson.

Courtney Price, the Sun-Times newspaper senior director of circulation for the Chicago Sun-Times, has been named STMG's vice president of circulation sales and service with the additional responsibilities for overseeing all consumer sales and services for all paid publications of STMG. She will report to John Barron.

Barron, Swanson and Lebolt all will continue to report to Rick Surkamer, STMG's president and COO.

"These changes give our experienced executives the tools they need to take advantage of those opportunities by allowing them to better focus on customer service and reach quicker decisions that are right for our clients and for the organization," Surkamer said in a statement. "And the organizational changes allow us to accomplish these goals in a more cost-efficient way, a crucial necessity in today's challenging industry environment."