The Athens NEWS announced yesterday that Jane Means has taken over as publisher for the Ohio semiweekly newspaper. Bruce Mitchell, who has led the paper for 35 years, will remain as CEO:

Jane has responsibility for all the newspaper’s operations, policies and personnel. She joined The NEWS in October of 2009 as advertising director and was promoted to associate publisher in April 2010. Jane has nearly 30 years experience managing a variety of newspapers, large and small, and has been a leader in national newspaper industry organizations.

Our editor, Terry Smith, will continue to lead our news team as he has for the last 25 years. No immediate staff or policy changes are planned with this transition. As CEO, I will remain engaged with the paper and our staff but in a more limited capacity.