Vitto Kleinschmidt has been named publisher of the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, succeeding Stan Pitlo, veteran newspaperman who is retiring. The announcement was made by Derek May, executive vice president of Morris Publishing Group.

Pitlo began his career in advertising at the Anchorage Times and worked in broadcasting and advertising before coming to the Peninsula Clarion in 1993. He was promoted to publisher in 1999 and has continued to serve in that role since announcing his retirement earlier this year. 

“Stan Pitlo has been one of the finest managers I have ever worked with,” said William S. Morris III, chairman and CEO of Morris Communications Co. “He has made a major contribution to the city of Kenai, the state of Alaska and certainly to our newspaper company.”

Kleinschmidt will move to Kenai from Juneau, where he has been circulation and operations director of the Juneau Empire. He has more than 25 years of newspaper circulation, sales and operations and management experience and has held senior-level positions in several markets including San Antonio, Texas, and Everett, Wash. 

“Vitto has great experience in running different aspects of our business and we know he will do great things for the Kenai community,” said May. 

Kleinschmidt has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix and is active in the Juneau community, volunteering as a tutor in elementary schools, coaching sports and serving as a board member of the Juneau YMCA. He and his wife have two daughters, ages 15 and 17.

Morris Publishing Group, LLC, is a privately held media company based in Augusta, Ga. MPG currently owns and operates 11 daily newspapers as well as several non-daily newspapers, city magazines and free community publications in the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest United States and Alaska. The Homer News is one of its holdings.