SACRAMENTO, Calif.,
April 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI) today announced
that Orage Quarles III, president
& publisher of The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., for the past sixteen years,
will retire on June 3, 2016. A search
for his replacement has begun.
Quarles' leadership and vision have been instrumental to
Raleigh's successful publication
diversification and digital transformation strategies. During his
tenure, the company expanded its local community-focused
publications from five to 10, launched Walter Magazine and, most
recently, saw its daily, weekly and magazine publications receive
McClatchy President's Awards for outstanding journalism.
"I'm one of those lucky people who found their career passion
early in life," Quarles said. "Linda and I have enjoyed every
community that we have lived in and are fortunate to end this
chapter of our lives in Raleigh.
It's been a heck of a ride."
Quarles began his news industry career with the Gannett-owned
San Bernardino Sun in 1969
and became its ad director in 1984. Three years later, he became
publisher of The Coloradoan in Fort Collins, CO. During his time in
Colorado, Quarles was named
Gannett's publisher of the year. In 1990, he was promoted to
publisher of the Stockton Record in Stockton, CA.
In early 1993, Quarles joined McClatchy as publisher of The
Herald in Rock Hill, S.C., and
director of Carolina operations overseeing the McClatchy-owned
Island Packet in Hilton Head, S.C., and Beaufort
Gazette in Beaufort, S.C. He
served in this capacity until 1996 when he was promoted and became
the first publisher of the Modesto Bee in Modesto, CA. He served as publisher there
until being promoted to publisher of The News & Observer
in 2000.
Throughout his career, Quarles has been a strong advocate for
the free press and a champion of diversity. He has served on the
boards the Associated Press (1994-2003), Newspaper Association of
America (1992-2003) and Freedom Forum. During his tenure with the
NAA, he served as the organization's chair from 2001 to 2002.
Quarles is also past Chairman of the University of North Carolina's School of Media and
Journalism.
Quarles' career-long commitment to journalism and passion for
mentorship was recognized by the National Association of Black
Journalists (NABJ) in 1994 with his induction into its Region III
Hall of Fame, and again in 2002 when Editor & Publisher
magazine named him the newspaper industry's Publisher of the
Year.
"Orage represents the very best traits of McClatchy publishers,"
said Pat Talamantes, president and
CEO of McClatchy. "He is entrepreneurial and focused. He exhibits
class and grace in all situations. Orage will fight for his people,
his community and his ideals. All of us at McClatchy are so
thankful to have had him as a colleague and mentor. I congratulate
him on his extraordinarily impactful career."
Quarles, 65, currently serves on the board of trustees for the
North Carolina Museum of History and the Dix Conservancy. He and
his wife, Linda, have been married for 43 years. The couple has two
daughters, Amber and Alicia, and two grandchildren.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orage-quarles-iii-to-retire-as-publisher-of-the-news--observer-in-raleigh-nc-300248660.html
SOURCE The McClatchy Company