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WILKES-BARRE — Mike Murray, current vice president of circulation for Civitas Media — Times Leader’s parent company — was named publisher of the Times Leader Media Group Thursday. He begins in Wilkes-Barre May 9.
Murray, 65, joined Civitas Media in August 2014 as vice president of circulation. He has over 45 years experience in executive management roles, according to his Civitas Media biography.
Before joining Civitas, Murray worked for American Consolidated Media, holding positions in both Texas and Maryland, and Thomson Newspapers, in Welsley Hill, Massachusetts.
He has advertising experience as president of DFM Associates Inc., an advertising agency in Philadelphia.
As publisher, Murray will oversee the daily operations of the Times Leader, Sunday Dispatch, Abington Journal, Dallas Post and Weekender.
Murray believes “we’ve already established ourselves as the news leader in the community.”
“(I have) a lot of enthusiasm (with the new position),” he said.
Murray and his wife, Debbie, have four children and six grandchildren.
A close friend, with whom Murray has worked for years, told him he’s “going to love it here,” Murray said.
Additionally, he is looking forward to becoming active in the community, previously having sat on state boards of Boy Scouts and regional Boys and Girls clubs.
“I want to get active; I want to meet community leaders,” Murray said.
Murray succeeds Doug Olsson, who has accepted the position as publisher at The Lima News in Ohio, another Civitas Media owned paper.
“Mike is inheriting a terrific staff of dedicated individuals who understand they’re working for more than just a company, but for an institution that plays a significant role in the community,” Olsson said in an email. “The commitment to high journalistic standards is at the heart of all we do.”