Several Gannett Wis newspapers shuffle management

Newspapers in Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Oshkosh announced changes in top management positions as part of a restructuring of operations by publisher Gannett Co., which owns 10 newspapers in Wisconsin.

McLean, Va.-based Gannett had announced plans July 1 to cut 1,400 jobs nationwide, or about 3 percent of its work force, in the ensuing days as it faced a prolonged slump in advertising revenue.

Among the Wisconsin moves, The Reporter in Fond du Lac named Richard Roesgen its general manager and executive editor. The 48-year-old replaces former president and publisher Bill Hackney and former executive editor Avi Stern.

Roesgen worked at The Reporter from 1991 to 2000, as news editor, managing editor and later publisher. He became the publisher of The Sheboygan Press in November 2000.

Roesgen will also be the general manager for Gannett-owned Action Publications, also located in Fond du Lac.

Genia Lovett, president and publisher of the Appleton Post-Crescent and vice president of Gannett Wisconsin Media, also announced that Mike Knuth was named general manager/executive editor of The Sheboygan Press.

Knuth has worked there for 19 years, serving for the past decade as executive editor.

In Oshkosh, Stewart Rieckman was named general manager and executive editor of The Northwestern as part of changes that will eliminate the position of publisher.

Rieckman has worked at the Oshkosh newspaper for 39 years, the last 11 as executive editor.

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