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Newspaper headquarters names regional VPs
Cape Girardeau, Mo. -- Rust Communications this week elevated three of its veteran group publishers to roles as regional vice-presidents, working with Rust newspaper publishers in different regions of the country, including the Mountain Home News.
Ron Kemp, based in Arkansas, added the responsibilities of papers in southwest Missouri, central Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Idaho, which includes the newspaper here.
Bud Hunt, based in southeast Missouri, assumed responsibilities there as well as in western Tennessee while Randy List, based in Indiana, added responsibilities in eastern Tennessee and Iowa.
Rust Communications co-presidents Rex Rust and Jon K. Rust made the announcement Aug. 31.
"The secret to our company's success has long been excellent publishers who are committed to their communities," said Jon K. Rust. "Maintaining the special culture here -- hardworking, respectful, faithful, fun, innovative, familial and open -- was vital to us in determining our management structure for the future."
"We have great confidence in Ron, Bud and Randy," said Rex Rust. "We look forward to them taking expanded leadership roles throughout Rust. This is a management transition, which we developed over the past year, but sadly implemented earlier than planned."
Rust Communications is a family-owned media company with 19 daily and more than 30 weekly newspapers in eight states. Besides newspapers and related web sites, the company publishes numerous niche magazines, operates commercial printing operations and is partial owner of 17 radio stations.
Former chief operating officer Wally Lage died unexpectedly in August.
The new positions of regional vice-president will report directly to the co-presidents with Gary W. Rust serving as chairman of the board.