Knight Ridder Names New Publisher in Wichita

SAN JOSE, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Knight Ridder today announced the appointment of Sharon Lindenbaum to publisher of The Wichita Eagle, replacing Lou Heldman, who will become publisher of The (Columbia, S.C.) State. Lindenbaum is currently vice president/business administration for The Kansas City Star.

Both appointments are effective Jan. 1.

Making the announcement, Knight Ridder Vice President/Operations, Paula Ellis, said, "Sharon's business credentials are wide-ranging, from public accounting to serving as chief financial officer for both a shopper group in Wichita and for The Kansas City Star. She helped The Star acquire its community newspaper group and, at an earlier time, she oversaw its IT operation. As important, she is a highly ethical individual who strives always to do the right thing in analyzing any situation. She is very active in Kansas City and will be equally so in Wichita. She is a great communicator, and as the former and current publishers of The Star will attest, she is a highly valued partner in running the business."

Lindenbaum, 48, joined The Star as vice president and chief financial officer in 1995. In addition to her financial duties, she is responsible for the strategic planning and product rollout for the newspaper's new production facility, scheduled for completion next spring. She earned a B.A. in English from the University of Kansas and an M.A. in accounting from Wichita State University. In Kansas City, she serves on several boards, including the University of Kansas Hospital Authority Board and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art Board. She and her husband, Jerry, have three grown children.

Knight Ridder is the nation's second-largest newspaper publisher, with products in print and online. The company publishes 32 daily newspapers in 29 U.S. markets, with a readership of 8.5 million daily and 11.0 million Sunday. Knight Ridder also has investments in a variety of Internet and technology companies and two newsprint companies. The company's Internet operation, Knight Ridder Digital, develops and manages the company's online properties. It is the founder and operator of Real Cities (http://www.realcities.com/), the largest national network of city and regional Web sites in more than 110 U.S. markets. Knight Ridder and Knight Ridder Digital are headquartered in San Jose, Calif. (NR)