Steve Rossi retiring as CEO and president of Digital First Media
Digital First Media, owner of The Mercury News and East Bay Times, has announced the retirement of chief executive Steve Rossi and named Guy Gilmore as the company’s chief operating officer.
“I wish to express my sincere thanks to all of you who work so hard to assure the company’s success,” Rossi said in a statement Monday. “It has been a real pleasure to serve the company in this role, and to work with you. There are many exciting challenges ahead, and the company is well positioned to succeed.”
Gilmore, an executive vice president in charge of Digital First Media’s eastern region, has overseen the company’s properties in Minnesota, Michigan,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and Vermont.
He joined MediaNews Group in 2005 after previously holding management positions with the Tribune Co. and Gannett.
“We wish Steve all the best in his retirement and express our appreciation for his capable and steady management of the company over the past several years,” R. Joseph Fuchs, chairman of the board at Digital First Media, said in a statement. “We are also very pleased to be able to assure top management continuity as a result of Guy’s experience and knowledge of the company, and his strong track record during his career.”
Digital First Media formed in December 2013 with the merger of Denverbased MediaNews Group and the former Journal Register Co. Rossi, a Bay Area resident, was the company’s first chief operating officer and added the title of president. He was named CEO in July 2015.
In addition to The Mercury News and East Bay Times, the company’s largest properties include The Denver Post, the Los Angeles Daily News and the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
In Northern California, Digital First Media also owns the Marin Independent Journal, the Vallejo Times-Herald, the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the Monterey County Herald, among other news outlets.