Business

November 3, 2009

Butkiewicz named TL executive editor

A Times Leader employee since 1983, he was named managing editor in 2007. He will now be in complete control of paper’s news unit.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – Joe Butkiewicz, managing editor of The Times Leader, was named the paper’s vice president/executive editor on Monday.

In his new position, Butkiewicz will have full control of the news operation at the paper.

Butkiewicz, 51, started at The Times Leader in 1982 as a correspondent. He was hired in July 1983 as a feature writer and became the Arts and Leisure team leader in 1995. He was promoted to editorial page editor in 2001, and then managing editor of community newspapers in 2005. He was named managing editor of The Times Leader in 2007.

Butkiewicz was raised in Kingston, graduated from Bishop O’Reilly High School, Luzerne County Community College and New York University. He lives in Kingston with his wife and their two children.

“People in Luzerne County and Northeastern Pennsylvania are enthusiastic about news,” Butkiewicz said. “We hear from them every day about what they like and what they expect from us. I’m honored to have the confidence of Editor and Publisher Rich Connor and Times Leader President Prashant Shitut and enjoy working with the talented and dedicated journalists here. I look forward to improving the delivery and presentation of news in our print and online products.”

Richard L. Connor, editor and publisher of The Times Leader, issued a statement about the appointment of Butkiewicz.

“When my investors and I bought the Wilkes-Barre Publishing Co., I took great comfort knowing Joe Butkiewicz was still at The Times Leader,” Connor said. “I had known him when he was practically fresh out of college over 25 years ago and a young reporter at the newspaper. The great promise he showed then had become reality.

“Joe has provided continuity and consistency through the many ownership and management changes at The Times Leader. He exerts a calming and reasoned influence on the newspaper. Reporters and other editors have no better friend.”

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