AUGUSTA, GA — Deedie McKenzie, vice president of operations for Morris Publishing Group, or MPG, has been named publisher of the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai and group publisher of Alaska Media Partners, overseeing the MPG properties in Anchorage and Juneau.
The announcement was made Tuesday by William S. Morris IV, president and CEO of Morris Communications Co.
“We’re pleased to have Deedie up in Alaska,” said Morris. “Her operational experience, and her passion for these communities make her the ideal person to lead these operations.”
McKenzie will report to Derek May, president of Morris Publishing Group.
“Deedie’s a terrific leader, and will do a great job,” said May. “This is another example of an outstanding Morris team member stepping up and taking on a new opportunity.”
McKenzie began her media career with Morris in 2000 working in the national magazine division. She led the shared services division and served as controller for The Augusta Chronicle.
In 2012, McKenzie became vice president of operations for Morris Publishing Group before moving to Alaska late last year. Prior to working for Morris, McKenzie worked in various national businesses in marketing and finance.
“Deedie McKenzie is one of our most experienced executives. She has been to Alaska numerous times, and holds a special love for that state,” said William S. Morris III, chairman of Morris Communications. “She will do an outstanding job.”
McKenzie has been serving as interim publisher of the Peninsula Clarion.
“I have been traveling to Alaska since 2000, and I have a great affection for the people and the state,” said McKenzie. “There is so much opportunity and optimism here, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the local media that serves these wonderful communities.”
McKenzie holds a degree in business administration from Columbia College and a marketing degree from Midlands Tech.
She and her husband, Greg will reside in Kenai.
About Morris Publishing Group: 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 non-daily newspapers, city magazines and free community publications in the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Alaska. The Company has a concentrated presence in the Southeast, with five signature holdings: The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville), The Augusta Chronicle, Savannah (Ga.) Morning News, The St. Augustine (Fla.) Record and Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald. Morris Publishing Group’s other daily newspapers are: Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News; Juneau (Alaska) Empire; Log Cabin Democrat (Conway, Ark.); Lubbock (Texas) Avalanche-Journal; Peninsula Clarion (Kenai, Alaska) and The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal.
The Homer News is one of several weekly newspapers owned by Morris Publishing Group.
For more information, visit: http://morrispublishinggroup.com and http://morris.com.
