AJR  The Beat
From AJR,   June 2000

Shedding the Day Job   

Gannett Co.'s leader, John J. Curley, gears up for retirement.

By Unknown
     



Gannett Co.'s leader, John J. Curley, gears up for retirement after 31 years of running up the corporate ladder. Curley's CEO spot, one he's held since 1989, goes to Douglas H. McCorkindale, Gannett's vice chairman and president; the two have worked together almost 30 years. Curley will retain his chairman position until he steps down early next year at age 62. In a press release, Curley said he merely planned "to do what I want to do when I want to do it." Curley joined Gannett in 1969 as suburban editor of the Rochester, New York, Times-Union. He's held various titles with the company, including editor of USA Today in 1982. The next year he got the nod to senior vice president of Gannett and president of Gannett's Newspaper division. McCorkindale, 60, jumped aboard Gannett as general counsel and secretary in 1971, held the chief financial officer spot for some time and landed in his current role in 1997. Tom Curley, 51, president and publisher of USA Today, says of his brother's decision: "He's going out on a high with acquisitions and earnings being strong.... It's a nice moment, and he is looking forward to whatever is next." As for speculation that McCorkindale is warming the CEO seat for Tom Curley to soon occupy, Curley the younger says: "Doug has been waiting a long time for this moment, and let Doug have his time in the sun.... I'm very anxious to keep working at USA Today."

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