Lee Shuffles Its Executive Deck

By: E&P Staff Julie Bechtel has been appointed publisher of the Quad-City Times in Davenport, Iowa. She has served as publisher of The Bismarck (N.D.) Tribune since 2002.

Brian Kroshus succeeds Bechtel as publisher of the Bismarck Tribune. Kroshus, a former circulation manager at the Tribune, has headed Lee?s network of agricultural publications since 2003.

"Julie and Brian are among our brightest rising stars," Mary Junck, Lee?s chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "They?ve notched success after success by building strong teams, sharing great ideas, and delivering exceptional products to readers and advertisers. Both can be expected to make excellent newspapers even better."

At the Quad-City Times, Bechtel succeeds Michael Phelps, who has left the company.

On Monday, Linda Lindus, publisher of The Pantagraph in Bloomington, Ill., since 2000, was promoted from group publisher to vice president.

Lindus will continue to oversee publishing operations in Bloomington, Decatur, Mattoon, and Charleston, Ill., while gaining responsibility for papers in Auburn, N.Y.; Carlisle, Pa.; Orangeburg, S.C.; and Maysville, Ky.

Junck said Lindus has been an outstanding publisher and strong group leader.

"This promotion allows her to bring her creativity, drive and coaching skills to more of our media markets," Junck told The Associated Press.

Lee announced several other moves among its vice presidents on Monday:

* Kevin Mowbray, a vice president and publisher of The Times of Northwest Indiana, gains responsibility for publishing operations based in Mason City, Iowa, and Glens Falls, N.Y. He also oversees newspapers in DeKalb, Ill., and Waterloo, Iowa. Lindus reports to Mowbray.

* Terrance C.Z. Egger, who oversees St. Louis operations and is publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, gains responsibility for newspapers in Carbondale, Ill., and Park Hills, Mo.

* Greg Veon gains responsibility for Lees publishing interests in Tucson, Ariz. He also oversees Lee operations in 11 other states.

Lee owns 52 daily newspapers and a joint interest in six others. The Davenport-based company also operates associated online services and more than 300 weekly papers, shoppers, and specialty publications.