Michael E. Phelps, a vice president of Lee Enterprises Inc. and
publisher of the Quad-City (Iowa) Times, announced Friday that he is leaving those positions to join Clarity Media Group as a general executive. The Denver-based group publishes The Examiner in San Francisco and The Examiner in Washington, D.C.
Phelps said in a statement, "There has never been a more exciting time to be in Lee Enterprises, and I'll miss working with all the terrific people throughout Lee, but I can't pass up this personal opportunity."
Mary Junck, Lee chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement, "Michael has made indelible contributions in his nearly six years with Lee ... He's been a fountain of energy and ideas, and we'll miss him."
Phelps plans to phase out his responsibilities at the Times. Suzanna Frank, Lee's director of research and marketing, will serve as interim publisher.