Helen Copley Passes A Baton p.3

By: M.L. Stein HELEN K. COPLEY is stepping down as CEO of Copley Press Inc. and giving the title to her son, David C. Copley.
She plans to remain active as chairman of the board and publisher of the company's flagship paper, the San Diego Union-Tribune.
David Copley, 45, remains president, a post he has held since 1988. He also is a director, chairman of the executive committee and president of Copley News Service.
The company, which owns 11 other dailies and 32 weeklies, last year acquired the Peoria Journal Star and Galesburg Register-Mail in Illinois for a reported $174.5 million.
"David has done an excellent job leading this company, particularly in the last few years when I have been slowed by a nagging back injury," Helen Copley said.
"It is the appropriate time to give him the recognition and responsibilities he has earned with his management accomplishments and in broadening the successes of the Copley Newspapers."
Helen Copley, who took over the company following the death of her husband, James S. Copley, in 1974, also is active in community affairs. The company was founded in 1905 by the late Ira C. Copley, whose son, James, is credited with modernizing the papers and extending the company.
In another move, Patrick F. Coburn, 55, was appointed publisher of the State Journal-Register in Springfield, and the Courier of Lincoln, both in Illinois. He also was elected a vice president of Copley Press and was named a member of the management board.
Dean F. Dwyer, 42, vice president/ finance and treasurer of Copley Press, becomes chief financial officer, and John T. McConnell, 51, president and publisher of the Peoria Journal Star, was elected a vice president of Copley Press and a member of the management board.
Also, Charles F. Patrick, 47, executive vice president and chief financial officer, has been promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer.
?(Helen K. Copley) [Photo]
?(David C. Copley) [Photo]