By: E&P Staff Dennis DeRossett, publisher of the Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale has been named the new executive director of the Illinois Press Association (IPA).
DeRossett will leave as publisher Feb. 8 to become executive director.
He was chosen after a six-month nationwide search by the IPA board of directors. He succeeds David L. Bennett, who retired last summer after 24 years in the position.
The IPA says it is the largest state newspaper association in the U.S. with more than 500 daily and weekly newspaper members. The executive director also serves as executive director of the Illinois Press Foundation and the Illinois First Amendment Center, all of which are housed together in Springfield.
"I have known Dennis for almost 20 years," said Steve Raymond, 2010 president of the IPA and publisher of the Effingham Daily News. "He's the kind of person we want leading the Illinois Press Association. His knowledge and experience, plus his personality, have helped him be a successful journalist, publisher and leader for many years. And his integrity is above reproach. I believe we're very fortunate to have a person of his caliber take over the reins of this organization. I am really looking forward to working with him."
DeRossett has been a member of the IPA board of directors since 2006. He became publisher of Lee Enterprises Inc.-owned Southern Illinoisan in July 2002.
"This is an exciting time of change for the newspaper industry as we evolve our business models to meet the ever-changing needs of readers and advertisers," DeRossett said. "I am both humbled and excited to have the opportunity to serve as executive director of the Illinois Press Association. This organization has a strong history and tradition of service to its members and that will certainly continue."
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