Staff changes at TimesNewspapers have been announced, including the retirement of Beth Gehrt as co-publisher.
In addition, Linda Smith Brown has been named publisher of TimesNewspapers, and Jeanette Kendall has been promoted to executive editor. Previously, Brown was co-publisher of the newspaper group, and Kendall was the editor of the East Peoria Times-Courier.
Gehrt began her career with TimesNewspapers in 1987, joining the Peoria Times-Observer as a reporter. She subsequently served as special sections editor and editor of the Times-Observer before being promoted to general manager/editor of the Chillicothe Times-Bulletin and Illinois Valley Advertiser.
In 1997, Gehrt became executive editor for TimesNewspapers — which includes the Peoria Times-Observer, Chillicothe Times-Bulletin, East Peoria Times-Courier, Washington Times-Reporter, Morton Times-News and the Morton Pumpkin Advertiser.
Shortly after GateHouse Media purchased the company in 2007, Gehrt and Brown were named co-publishers.
“I love newspapers, and I have loved my 23 years in this business. It has been an exciting career filled with change and challenge,” Gehrt said. “I will miss both the work and the people, but I am exhilarated about this new chapter in my life.”
Brown began her career in the newspaper business in 1975 at the Mattoon Journal Gazette. In 1980, Brown began working in the newsroom of the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph and was promotions manager.
Brown has been with the TimesNewspapers group since 1990, as sales representative and general manager, before being named co-publisher in 2007.
Kendall began her career with TimesNewspapers 10 years ago.
She began her journalism career after graduating from Illinois State University in 1992 with a degree in communications. She did her internship at Tazewell Publishing Co. in Morton in 1992 and was hired as editor of The Washington Reporter that same year. She became a dual editor in 1996 of the Tremont Prairie Chronicle, as well.
In 1997, she left the company to work as a graphic artist.
In 2000, after returning from living overseas, Kendall began freelancing for the Peoria Times-Observer. She was hired to be editor of the East Peoria Times- Courier in May 2000.
In her new role, Kendall will oversee the company’s five newspapers.
“I am extremely excited about my new role. Having been in the business for 15 years, I feel comfortable in leading the newspaper staff into the future,” Kendall said.
Stephanie Gomes has been named editor of the East Peoria Times-Courier, and Holly Richrath has been named as the roving reporter at TimesNewspapers.
