Augusta, Ga. - Lester T. Simpson, assistant general manager of The Augusta Chronicle, has been promoted to publisher of the Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News. Four other Morris executives were named in a series of promotions announced by the newspaper division today.

Simpson will assume his duties in Amarillo Aug. 1, 2002, succeeding the current publisher, Garet von Netezer, who will remain in place to aid the transition until the end of 2002, when he plans to officially step down.

Simpson began his newspaper career with Morris Communications as a management intern in 1987, following his graduation from the College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. He held various editorial positions at the Chronicle from 1987-1995; became managing editor and executive editor of the Athens Daily News/Banner Herald in 1996 and 1998, respectively; and was promoted to his present position with the Chronicle in July 2000.

"It has been very satisfying to watch Les develop his talents in the newspaper business over the past 15 years," said Will Morris, president of Morris Communications. "We're confident of his continuing success in his new role as publisher."

Additional changes, all of which become effective Aug. 1, 2002, include the following:

Julian Miller has been given the title of president of The Augusta Chronicle. Miller, who has been the Chronicle's general manager since 1988, has been employed by the newspaper for 23 years. The Chronicle's publisher is William S. Morris III.

Donald W. Bailey has been promoted to succeed Simpson, with the title of general manager of The Augusta Chronicle. Bailey, who is currently advertising director for the Savannah (Ga.) Morning News, was employed by the Chronicle from 1992-94 as classified advertising manager, and from 1994-96 as display ad director.

Stephen A. Beasley, current director of sales of the Amarillo Globe-News, will become general manager of the Savannah (Ga.) Morning News. Beasley is a veteran of newspaper advertising management. He was with the Globe-News for 11 years, and prior to that spent 12 years with the Lubbock (Texas) Avalanche-Journal.

David B. Meadows has been named general manager of The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal. Meadows has been support services director of the Savannah (Ga.) Morning News since 1998 with responsibility for information technologies and facilities management. Previously, he was assistant production director and pre-press manager at the Savannah daily.