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George Spohr, executive editor of the Times Leader Media Group, has been named news director of the Journal & Courier in Lafayette, Indiana.

The Journal & Courier is owned by Gannett, the nation’s largest publisher of newspapers, for whom Spohr previously worked in Utica and Binghamton, New York. As news director, Spohr will lead the Lafayette newsroom.

In announcing Spohr’s departure, Times Leader Publisher Doug Olsson said, “Gannett obviously recognizes the same passion and drive for excellence that George brought to our organization. It’s always hard to lose a dedicated and determined professional, but I know the risk is there that other companies will make a concentrated effort to recruit our talented employees. While I view this as a loss for our company, we wish George the very best in his future challenge and thank him for his many contributions in making our company better every day.”

Spohr joined the Times Leader in September 2013. Since then, the Times Leader’s combined print and digital audience grew markedly, primarily through an emphasis on digital and social media. Spohr said his proudest accomplishment was making timesleader.com the region’s most-updated website.

“This is a bittersweet move for me,” Spohr said. “On one hand, I’m really excited to be rejoining Gannett. How they’ve positioned their newsrooms to be digitally focused is hugely appealing to me. But I’ll also deeply miss my colleagues, many of whom I personally promoted or recruited to work here.”

In addition to leading the Wilkes-Barre newsroom, Spohr took on expanded responsibilities within the newspaper’s parent company, Civitas Media. Spohr traveled across the country training journalists who work at the Times Leader’s sister newspapers.

Spohr’s last day at the Times Leader will be Tuesday, Feb. 9. Managing Editor Dotty Martin will run the newsroom while a search for Spohr’s replacement is conducted, Olsson said.

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By Times Leader