New role is added responsibility for vice president of newspaper operations, whose Scripps career has spanned 33 years
Steve Smith, a newspaper executive and operations expert with more than three decades of service for The E.W. Scripps Co. (NYSE: SSP), has been named publisher of the Record Searchlight in Redding, California. The new role is effective immediately and will be in addition to his current responsibilities as vice president of operations for the Scripps Newspaper Group.
Smith started with Scripps at the Ventura County Star Free Press in Camarillo, California in 1981. His introduction to the industry began as a part time driver in circulation. It flourished into an impressive career serving all different management levels in circulation sales and operations in Ventura. He demonstrated initiative in learning all aspects of Ventura's production including pre-press, pressroom, packaging, distribution and facilities before accepting the role to lead circulation operations for the company's entire newspaper division. As a senior leader for operations, he sets strategy and tactics to ensure business success in the company's 13 newspaper markets.
"Steve's deep knowledge of our business and diverse experience will enable him to step into this important leadership role quickly and easily," said Bruce Hartmann, chief revenue officer for the Scripps Newspaper Group. "He has a genuine interest in the Redding community – its people and its local businesses. Steve will be an energized leader who will see to it that the Record Searchlight continues to play an important role in serving the community across all platforms."
Smith replaces Shanna Cannon, who left Redding in July to become regional publisher of the Scripps-owned Ventura County Star.
