New publisher to take over in Rio Rancho

Continued from Page 1

Cannon, 60, led the Capital Journal through a redesign and conversion to a morning paper after it was purchased by Wick Communications, the Arizona-based company that also owns the Rio Rancho paper. Before that he was at a Wick paper in Las Vegas for three years.

“I have enjoyed my time in Pierre,” said Cannon on that paper’s web site. “This has been one of the most challenging newspapers over my 36 years in the business. We made a lot of changes in the Capital Journal — size, design, morning delivery — and changed every computer and software in every department, plus added some new prepress and press equipment.

“Some of the changes were not as popular as others, but I hope I’m leaving a better Capital Journal.”

Cannon told Capital Journal employees Friday of his move. He will work at both papers for about a month, traveling back and forth between the two cities.

Cannon’s replacement in Pierre has not been named by Wick Communications. He replaces Sandy Rea, who resigned Dec. 3.

Cannon joined Wick Communications in April 2002 as publisher of Las Vegas (Nev.) Press. He took over the Capital Journal in October, 2005, when the paper was purchased by Wick from the Hipple family, who had owned the paper it than 100 years.

At the time of the sale, the evening daily had a sworn circulation of 3,698, according to the 2005 Editor & Publisher International Year Book. According to the South Dakota Press Association web site, the circulation is now 3,802 in a town of less than 14,000.

Cannon was born and raised in southeast Missouri. He graduate of the University of Missouri and majored in advertising and newspaper management.

After two years in the Army, Cannon began his newspaper career in Rochelle, Ill. He has held advertising jobs in Carlsbad, Colorado and Wisconsin.

His first administrative job was as general manager of the North Platte (Neb.) Telegraph. He also managed newspapers in Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, California and Nevada.

“I am very excited about getting back to the Southwest and particularly New Mexico. I have visited several times since I lived there several years ago,” said Cannon. “I love the outdoors — golfing, hiking, biking — and the area is rich in outdoor activities.  Plus, I love the culture and look forward to being very active in the community.”