Reno Gazette-Journal names new publisher from Olympia, Wash.

Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001 | 9:58 a.m.

Hamilton succeeds John M. Zidich, who was appointed president and publisher of the Reno newspaper last year and now is following his predecessor to The Arizona Republic.

All three newspapers are owned by Gannett Co.

Zidich will be the executive vice president of The Arizona Republic, where Sue Clark-Johnson is assuming the role of publisher.

Zidich will oversee the newspaper's revenue departments, including advertising, special products, circulation and marketing.

"This makes sense for the organization at this time," Clark-Johnson told The Republic.

Clark-Johnson was publisher of the Reno newspaper before she was named last year as chairman and chief executive officer of Phoenix Newspapers Inc. and CEO of The Arizona Republic after Gannett acquired The Republic.

Hamilton joined Gannett in 1985 as director of marketing at The Desert Sun in Palm Springs, Calif. He was named president and publisher of The Californian in Salinas in 1989 and The Olympian in 1994.

Gannett's newspaper division also announced Friday that Robert W. Ritter will return to Olympia to succeed Hamilton. Ritter was president and publisher of The Olympian from 1983-85. He's currently vice president and editor of The Journal News, Westchester, N.Y.

Henry M. Freeman succeeds Ritter in Westchester. He was vice president in charge of special projects in Westchester.

"These appointments reflect the best of Gannett - experienced executives taking on greater responsibility through internal promotions," said Gary L. Watson, president of Gannett's newspaper division in Arlington, Va.