Leaves Company After 20 Years.

New Times, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Hal Smith resigned in April after more than 20 years with the company. According to New Times Senior Vice President Scott Spear, Smith “decided to retire from New Times and has moved on to pursue other interests. Hal was instrumental in building this company from a single paper in Phoenix to an 11-paper national presence.”

Smith began his tenure at New Times as the Ad Director in Phoenix, and he was named President and COO in 1992. Assuming Smith’s operating responsibilities will be Michele Laven, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales; and Lee Newquist, Executive Vice President of Operations. Jim Larkin continues as CEO and Chairman of the company.