Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Media General CEO to step down

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 28, 2005

J. Stewart Bryan III said Thursday he will step down as chief executive officer of Media General Inc., the Richmond, Va., company that owns the Tampa Tribune, WFLA-TV and other media properties. Bryan, 66, was executive vice president and publisher of the Tribune in the 1970s.

Bryan's successor as CEO will be Marshall Morton, 59, vice chairman and chief financial officer. Morton also will take the title of president, currently held by Reid Ashe, 56, another former Tribune publisher. Ashe will retain his title as chief operating officer but become executive vice president.

John Schauss, 48, Media General's treasurer, will take on the additional responsibilities of vice president-finance and chief financial officer. The changes will take place July 1.

Bryan will continue as chairman and said he plans to be "actively engaged in setting Media General's strategy and business direction." He said he is looking forward to devoting more attention to personal interests, including three young grandchildren. Bryan started out as a summer intern at the Richmond News Leader 50 years ago and has been chairman of the parent company since 1990.

Morton joined Media General in 1989 after holding various financial positions at West Point Pepperell.

Also Thursday, Media General said fourth-quarter profits rose 21 percent, as the company benefited from record levels of broadcast political advertising and from renewed strength in newspaper help-wanted ads that helped lift results above Wall Street estimates.

[Last modified January 28, 2005, 00:20:16]