The Missoula Independent has a new publisher to start the new year. Independent Publishing, Inc., the parent company of the paper, has promoted Lynne Foland to lead the 18-year-old alt-weekly. Foland who came to the Independent in 2006 as the general manager, succeeds Matt Gibson, who steps aside after 12 years to focus on his duties as company president and editor-in-chief of Montana Headwall magazine.

“Lynne has been a powerful presence at the Independent ever since she arrived,” Gibson says. “Her promotion just formalized the practical reality. Her professionalism, dedication, and steady hand have already established her as the most reliable authority in the office. And she’ll bring fresh perspective that should energize and improve our work.”

Prior to her arrival in Missoula, Foland held a variety of positions at Village Voice Media, finishing her tenure there as vice president and general manager for LA Weekly and OC Weekly.

“It’s been a great three years at the Independent and I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished in that time,” said Foland. “I’m thrilled to be taking the reins now and am confident that, with the terrific team we have in place, we’re well-positioned to continue growing our business and producing quality journalism. Quite simply, I can’t imagine a better place to be sitting than right here in Missoula as the publisher of the Indy.”

The Missoula Independent distributes over 20,000 copies each week in and around Missoula, Kalispell and the Bitterroot valley. Gibson purchased the paper in 1997 and launched Montana Headwall, a quarterly outdoor recreation magazine, last year. To read the online version of the Independent, visit missoulanews.com.