Pacific Publishing Company, parent company of the Kirkland Courier, has changed ownership. The change took effect on June 24.
Tom Haley, Pacific Publishing president, informed employees of the change in a series of staff meetings on June 20.
PPC's new owner is Peter Bernhard, a career newspaper-person who owns community newspapers in Nevada.
Bernhard recently sold a publishing company in Utah. He will serve as chief executive officer for Pacific Publishing Company Inc., which publishes seven local community newspapers and operates a web press division.
Bernhard's newspaper experience includes positions as president, publisher, vice president of marketing and other leadership roles with a number of media companies, including Media-News Group, MediaNews Technologies, AdOne, Diversified Suburban Newspapers, Allbritton Communications and Careersite.
"I've been involved with local newspapers for over 25 years and am proud to become associated with this fine community newspaper company," Bernhard said. "Good local newspapers are a vital part of a strong community, and it's exciting to be part of a business that can make a positive contribution.
"Also, I just love the business. We get to build something new each week, and then get immediate feedback as to whether we've done a good job. But it takes focus, hard work, a competitive spirit and a talented team, and I think Pacific Publishing has that and more."
Bernhard, 50, and his wife, Dr. Susan Ivey, and their three children live in Danville, Calif. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a bachelor's degree in history.
In his statement to employees, Haley said of the ownership change: "I think it is positive in every respect."
In addition to the Kirkland Courier, Pacific Publishing owns and operates the Madison Park Times, Capitol Hill Times, Magnolia News, Beacon Hill News & South District Journal, North Seattle Herald-Outlook and Queen Anne News.
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