The Juneau Empire has a new publisher.
Joseph Leong has been named Senior Group Publisher for GateHouse Media Alaska Holdings, Inc. He will oversee operations at the Juneau Empire and its sister publication the Capital City Weekly, as well as the Kenai Peninsula Clarion and the Homer News.
Leong has worked in the media industry for 30 years in various management capacities including advertising sales, marketing, packaging and circulation in Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Hawaii and New Mexico.
Most recently, Leong has been a consultant for GateHouse and Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at the Albuquerque Journal.
“I am thrilled to embrace the community and culture of the state of Alaska, especially in the markets we serve. I look forward to meeting with members of the community to better understand how we can serve our audiences,” Leong said in a statement.
“I’m excited to welcome Joe to the GateHouse family and know his diverse experience will be great in our Alaska markets,” said Jason Taylor, President of Western U.S. Publishing Operations for GateHouse Media.
Leong follows Deedie McKenzie, who is leaving to be close to family in North Carolina. McKenzie will continue working with GateHouse as a consultant on special projects.
Taylor thanked McKenzie for her contributions to the Empire and the Clarion since she stepped into the role in 2015.
“Deedie has a true passion for Alaska. The financial results, as well as projects like the History book we are doing in Juneau and Kenai, are a testament to her passion and commitment to Alaska and our newspapers,” Taylor said.
GateHouse Media is a division of New Media Investment Group, a publicly traded company (NEWM) on the New York Stock Exchange. It is one of the largest newspaper companies in the country, owning more than 130 daily newspapers and more than 500 non-daily publications across the United States.