Ex-Lee VP Stoeffler named editor of Gannett paper

Former Lee vice president David Stoeffler has been named executive editor of Gannett's News-Leader Media Group in Springfield, Mo. He will start May 28.

Stoeffler became Lee's first VP for news in December 2001 and worked for the company until November 2007. He has been the editor of the La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune and Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star, publisher and editor of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, the interim publisher of the Glens Falls (N.Y.) Post-Star, and general manager of the Suburban Journals of St. Louis. Since leaving the Suburban Journals, he ran a consulting company, Touchstone News Consulting, in Ferryville, Wis.

Stoeffler replaces News-Leader editor Don Wyatt, who resigned in April.

(Via e-mails. Know of Lee news? Send tips and links to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

University of Nebraska names dean of journalism

The Knight Foundation's journalism program director Gary Kebbel has been named dean of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's college of journalism and mass communications. Former Lee vice president David Stoeffler was a finalist for the job.

Kebbel's appointment must still be approved by the university's board of regents; he would start July 1.

University journalism dean candidate is former Lee VP

Former Lee vice president David Stoeffler is one of four finalists for dean of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's college of journalism and mass communications.

According to the biography on his website, Stoeffler became Lee's first VP for news in December 2001 and worked for Lee until November 2007. Stoeffler also has been the editor of the La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune and Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star, publisher and editor of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, the interim publisher of the Glens Falls (N.Y.) Post-Star, and general manager of the Suburban Journals of St. Louis. (His resume can be downloaded on his website.) Stoeffler now has his own consulting company, Touchstone News Consulting, in Ferryville, Wis.

Other finalists for the position:

• Kristin Gilger, assistant dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University since 2007.
• Gary Kebbel, journalism program director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
• Alan Stavitsky, senior associate dean, professor and director of the George S. Turnbull Portland Center at the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon.

All candidates have been scheduled for on-campus interviews and presentations. Stoeffler's interview will be Jan. 20; he posted a link to the story on Twitter and asked his followers to "tweet ideas for my remarks."

(Via e-mail; send tips and story links to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com)