Two Top Editors EXIT The Chicago Tribune

Weeks after a management shake-up at the top of the company, Tribune Publishing on Thursday announced a reorganization of the leadership of its flagship paper, the Chicago Tribune.

Bruce Dold, who has served as publisher and editor-in-chief of the paper since February 2016, will leave the Tribune April 30, capping a 42-year career at the newspaper that included a Pulitzer Prize.

Succeeding Dold will be Colin McMahon, Tribune Publishing’s chief content officer, who will immediately add the title of Chicago Tribune editor-in-chief.

Peter Kendall, one of two managing editors at the Tribune, is leaving the newspaper as part of the restructuring, effective Friday. His position will not be filled. Chrissy Taylor will continue to serve as managing editor.

Colin McMahon

The reorganization is the latest in a series of changes at the company since Alden, a secretive New York hedge fund with a reputation for dramatic cost-cutting, took a 32% stake in Tribune Publishing in November.

However, Tribune Publishing spokesman Tilden Katz said the restructuring was decided locally.

“This was a business decision, made in Chicago, by Tribune Publishing senior executives," Katz said. "We have great confidence in the newsroom leadership going forward.”

Alden’s stake in the company came about mostly by acquiring the stake of former Chairman Michael Ferro. Two Alden representatives subsequently were added to the newspaper company’s board, expanding it to eight members. As part of that agreement, Alden is restricted from increasing its stake in the company to more than 33% until June 30.

In addition to the Chicago Tribune, Tribune Publishing owns the Baltimore Sun; Hartford Courant; Orlando Sentinel; South Florida Sun Sentinel; the New York Daily News; the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland; The Morning Call in Allentown, Pennsylvania; the Daily Press in Newport News, Virginia; and The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia.