Gannett names members to two boards in anticipation of separation

Gannett Co. Inc. in McLean on Wednesday announced new chairmen and members of the boards of directors for Gannett and Tegna.

Gannett is creating two publicly traded companies: one focused on its broadcasting and digital businesses (Tegna), and the other on its publishing business and affiliated digital assets (Gannett).

The separation is expected to be completed by mid-2015.

Current Gannett Board Chairman Marjorie Magner will serve as chairman of Tegna’s board after the separation. Tegna’s directors also will include current Gannett directors Howard D. Elias, Lidia Fonseca, Gracia Martore (Gannett’s current CEO who will head Tegna); Scott K. McCune, Susan Ness and Neal Shapiro.

Another senior officer who will move from Gannett to Tegna is Victoria Harker, Gannett’s chief financial officer. Harker has been promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer of Tegna. Also promoted was Todd Mayman, currently Gannett’s senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. He will serve as executive vice president, chief legal and administrative officer of Tegna.

Tegna’s executive leadership team also will include Bill Behan, senior vice president of labor relations; Kevin Lord, chief human resources officer; Dave Lougee, president of broadcasting; Todd Mayman, chief legal and administrative officer; and Jack Williams, president of Digital Ventures.

Following the separation, John Jeffry Louis, a current Gannett director, will serve as chairman of Gannett’s board. Current Gannett directors serving on the board of the publishing company include John E. Cody and Tony Prophet and Gannett CEO-designate Robert Dickey.

Gannett’s board of directors also elected Bruce Nolop, former executive vice president and chief financial officer of E*TRADE Financial Corp., effective immediately. He will serve on Tegna’s board following the separation. In addition, Jill Greenthal, senior advisor, Private Equity Group at Blackstone Group LP, was elected to the Tegna Board, effective as of the day following completion of the separation.

After the separation is complete, Lila Ibrahim, chief business officer at Coursera, is expected to serve on the Gannett board.

As previously reported, Dickey, current president of Gannett U.S. Community Publishing, will serve as Gannett’s president and CEO. Also on the Gannett leadership team will be Ali Engel, senior vice president and chief financial officer; Henry Faure Walker, chief executive, Newsquest; Larry Kramer, USA Today publisher and chief content officer; David Payne, chief product officer; Maribel Wadsworth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer; Barbara Wall, senior vice president and chief legal officer; and John Zidich, president of domestic publishing.