Terri Leifeste is the new vice president and general manager of Central Missouri Newspapers Inc., which includes the California Democrat.
She brings 34 years of experience to the position, which also includes oversight of the Fulton Sun, Jefferson City News Tribune and Lake Today.
Leifeste most recently served as vice president of Horizon Publications, where she was publisher of The Saline Courier, Benton, Ark., among other responsibilities.
"I'm excited to bring my energy to Central Missouri Newspapers and become involved in the communities we serve," Leifeste said.
She added: "I'm also pleased to join WEHCO Media," which owns Central Missouri Newspapers. "The company and I share similar values of journalistic integrity and active participation."
Her professional career also includes tenures as: vice president of advertising for The State, where she directed five managers and 73 sales representatives; general manager of Middle Tennessee Community Newspapers, a community newspaper group of 12 publications; and publisher of The Courier
News, a daily newspaper in Elgin, Ill.
Leifeste also has taken an active role both in community organizations and professional associations.
She created CHAIN (Courier Helping Anyone in Need) as a charity for the newspaper to interact with all non-profit organizations in a community. She also has been involved with Civic and Government Committee for the Benton Chamber of Commerce.
Leifeste also has volunteered with the United Way, Boy Scouts and Boys and Girls Clubs in communities where she has been employed.
She has been member of the National Newspaper Association, Arkansas Press Association and a variety of other newspaper groups.
The News Tribune Mike Vivion has announced his retirement as vice president and general manager of Central Missouri Newspapers Inc., which includes the California Democrat.
Prior to his retirement on May 31, he will assist Terri Leifeste, who has been named to the leadership post for the four-newspaper chain, which also includes The Fulton Sun, the News Tribune and Lake Today.
"This has been a great community to live and work in," Vivion said, in announcing his retirement. "I've really enjoyed my 44 years with the company, but it's time to relax a little more and play some golf. I'm sure
I'll see many of my friends and associates at various community events."
Vivion began his career with the News Tribune in 1968, working in the production department when printing was a hot-metal process.
With the advent of computerization in the late 1980s, he was promoted to oversee computer operations.
He became business manager in 1998, following the retirement of Roman Patten.
He was named vice president and general manager in 2008, when the newspaper was purchased by WEHCO Media.