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“Wakefield retires from Record Searchlight; Stautberg named GM”

Aug. 26, 1997
 

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Larry R. Wakefield announced today his retirement from the Redding Record Searchlight after 17 years as the newspaper’s chief executive and a total of 40 years with various Scripps newspapers.Timothy E. Stautberg, assistant to the publisher at the Rocky Mountain News, Scripps’ daily newspaper in Denver, will oversee the business functions of the Record Searchlight as its new general manager after Wakefield’s retirement becomes effective April 30. “I could not have asked for a better career and the rewards it has brought,” said Wakefield. “The years I have spent with the newspaper have been both exciting and fulfilling. Having been afforded the opportunity to represent the Record Searchlight in our community has meant a great deal to me.”The decision did not come easily. I have enjoyed my whole career with Scripps as well as my association with fellow employees. I look forward to pursuing other interests in retirement, such as improving my golf handicap and traveling the country.”Wakefield was named general manager of the Record Searchlight in 1980 and was promoted to president and general manager 14 months ago. In his most recent position, Wakefield had final fiscal responsibility for all of the newspaper’s functions, including planning, budgeting and employee hiring.”Larry Wakefield has been a highly respected leader not only at the Record Searchlight, but also in Redding,” said Alan M. Horton, Scripps senior vice president for newspapers. “The good news is that Larry still will live in Redding and will be a mentor for Tim Stautberg and a community leader.” Wakefield began with John P. Scripps Newspapers in 1957 when he joined the business office of The Bremerton (Wash.) Sun. In 1961, he became credit manager and assistant office manager for the Watsonville (Calif.) Register-Pajaronian, a daily newspaper Scripps sold in 1995.He was named controller of the Ventura County Star in 1967, a position he held until becoming general manager of the Record Searchlight in 1980.The John P. Scripps Newspaper group was merged with The E.W. Scripps Company in 1986.Wakefield is a trustee of Leadership Redding and serves as a board member of the Mercy Foundation, Shasta Community Health Center and the California Newspaper Publishers Association.He previously served on the local boards of the United Way, American Cancer Society, the Redding Area Development Committee and the Forward Redding Foundation. He also has served as a president and director of the Redding Chamber of Commerce and Redding East Rotary.Wakefield and his wife, Nancy, have five children and six grandchildren.Stautberg joined Scripps in 1990 and was assigned to The Pittsburgh Press, which the company later sold. In 1991, he was transferred to the corporate development department in Cincinnati where he worked on special projects for the company’s newspapers and television stations. In 1993, Stautberg moved to Denver and joined the Rocky Mountain News’ management team. He currently assists the publisher with strategic planning, financial analysis, competitive analysis and new media development.Prior to his tenure with Scripps, he was a commercial banking officer with Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago.Stautberg was graduated from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He also received an MBA from The University of Chicago. He and his wife, Katherine, have two young sons.The E. W. Scripps Company operates nine television stations; newspapers in 16 markets; a licenser and syndicator of news features and comics; two television production companies; and Home & Garden Television, a 24-hour cable network.