Bob Turner, a 29-year veteran of the Bradenton Herald and former chair of the Manatee Area Chamber of Commerce, has been named publisher of the Bradenton Herald.
He will take over Oct. 6 for Will Fleet, the Herald's publisher for the past two years. Fleet is returning to his native California to become publisher of McClatchy's seventh-largest paper, the Fresno Bee.
"Will has managed us to a position where we have a good path ahead, and we have the people in place to get the job done," Turner told Herald employees Monday. "I'm at a loss. I'm terribly excited. To have this opportunity and not have to leave the community is unbelievable."
Turner, the Herald's vice president of operations, moved to Manatee County in 1979 to become retail advertising manager for the Herald. He soon became director of advertising and later was promoted to general manager. In 1996, he became vice president and director of operations, overseeing the advertising, press and community relations departments.
In a news release to company employees, McClatchy vice president of operations Frank Whittaker said there probably is no one better to lead the Herald than Turner, thanks to his "broad knowledge of the community, coupled with his strategic operational and leadership skills."
"I would personally be amazed if Bob's appointment is not hugely popular inside the building and throughout the community," Whittaker said.
A Columbus, Ga., native, Turner was chairman of the Manatee Area Chamber of Commerce in 1994 and was on the chamber's Board of Directors from 1990 through 1995. He will be chair of the Economic Development Council in 2009. He has served on the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee Community Leadership Council since 1990.
Turner takes over in a tough time for newspapers everywhere. The industry has gone through more than 6,000 layoffs in 2008 alone; the Herald recently eliminated 44 positions.
"Our biggest challenge is the economy," Turner said. "We've got to work as if we can change our own destiny. Fundamentally this is a great organization. After two years, Will Fleet passed off an organization that's ready to move forward."
Fleet, who was named the Herald's publisher in 2006, becomes president and publisher of the Fresno Bee. Fleet said Turner is the natural fit to become publisher, having served as de facto publisher and as the face of the paper in years past.
"I'm absolutely confident he will do a super job," Fleet said.
It is a bittersweet departure for him and his wife, Jennifer, Fleet said.
"We were struck by how friendly and happy people seem to be there," he said from Fresno, where he was introduced Monday as the new publisher. "Most people are there because they want to be, not because they're forced to be. The people I worked with closely at the paper are terrific people. They're great professionals, and I was proud to be associated with them."
Bob Bartz, president of the Manatee Area Chamber of Commerce, said Fleet always helped when problems arose, but that Turner will be a good replacement.
"I've always felt a chamber of commerce and a newspaper are two important elements of a community and it makes sense that they should work together for the betterment of the community, and I think Will did that," Bartz said. "But Bob understands our goals, objectives and initiatives; he's been a good supporter of the organization over the years. He's shown a keen interest in the community and I think he understands being involved in the community pays dividends for the paper as well."
Turner's deep knowledge of Manatee County and the staff at the Herald will make the transition seamless, Executive Editor/Vice President Joan Krauter said.
"Bob has an unshakable belief in our community, in the Herald and in strong community journalism," Krauter said. "That's the kind of leadership we need to outwit the economy and be a strong newspaper and Web site for our readers."
Turner and his wife Dottie have two children, Robert, 24 and Stephanie, 22.
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search
@Nyx.replyAnswerText@