AUGUSTA, Ga.- Kim Benedict has been named the next publisher of The Daily Ardmoreite, in Ardmore, Okla., succeeding Bill Stauffer, who will retire in May. The announcement was made today by William S. Morris IV, president and CEO of Morris Publishing Group, and is effective May 14.

Benedict has served as publisher of the Hillsdale (Mich.) Daily News, also published by Morris, since January 2002 and has more than two decades of experience in the newspaper industry.

"We're delighted that Kim is assuming this leadership role in Ardmore," Morris said. "She has a wealth of experience as a newspaper publisher, and also is a person who gets very involved in her community. Her skills will be a great asset to The Ardmoreite and to the community."

Prior to the Daily News, Benedict was publisher of The Arkansas City (Kan.) Traveler for 12 years. She began her newspaper career in advertising sales at The Morning Sun, located in Pittsburg, Kan.

Benedict earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. She has served in several community organizations and is the current president of the Hillsdale Rotary Club.

The search for a new publisher in Hillsdale is currently under way.

Stauffer has served as publisher in Ardmore for 21 years. Previously, he was publisher of the Marshall (Mo.) Democrat-News, assistant publisher at The Shawnee (Okla.) News-Star and ad manager at The Arkansas City (Kan.) Traveler.

"Bill Stauffer has been a well-liked and highly respected part of Morris and of the Ardmore community for many years," Morris said. "His contributions to his community and his profession, and to Morris, are numerous. We will miss Bill, but he has left us a tremendous legacy."

Stauffer served in a number of organizations in the Ardmore community, including as a past board member of the local Rotary Club, a member of the board of directors for the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce and on the board of directors for the local Boy Scouts.

Lucy Talley, vice president of newspapers for Morris, said: "Kim has a broad range of experience that includes every facet of the newspaper business. Her management style is very much like Bill's - a collaborative one. Bill is an icon in the community and at The Ardmoreite. Bill's contributions to the community and the newspaper industry have been many - we are going to miss him. We are delighted to welcome a seasoned newspaper professional to The Ardmoreite who will pick up right where Bill left off."

Morris Publishing Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morris Communications Company, LLC, a privately held media company based in Augusta, Ga. Morris Publishing owns and operates 27 daily newspapers as well as nondaily newspapers, city magazines and free community publications in the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Alaska. For more information, visit our Web site, morris.com.

CONTACT:
Karen Randall
706-823-3403
karen.randall@morris.com