A couple of big personnel shifts today.

Chris Clonts, deputy design director for news at the Detroit Free Press, will become the assistant design director for news at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, which is on the verge of a radical redesign.

And Denis Finley, managing editor of The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, has been promoted to editor.

To: All Employees
From: Dee Carpenter
Date: September 9, 2005
Re: New Editor

I am pleased to announce that Denis Finley will be editor of The Virginian-Pilot effective immediately.

Denis has been managing editor of The Pilot for two-and-a-half years. During his tenure, Denis oversaw a major reorganization of the newsroom, our coverage of the Iraq War, Hurricane Isabel, the 2004 elections, Oceana and BRAC, and various other stories, which contributed to The Pilot’s regaining the VPA sweepstakes award and winning the VPA’s coveted public service award the last two years. Denis has been serving a dual role as editor and managing editor since Kay Addis retired in March.

Denis has a track record of outstanding performance in a wide variety of positions with The Pilot. Since joining the staff 18 years ago, he has been a photographer, photo editor, features editor, news editor, deputy managing editor for presentation/newsroom technology and managing editor. While Denis was DME, The Pilot was named as one of the world’s best-designed newspapers by the Society for News Design and the newsroom for the first time began consistently meeting and beating goals for on-time deadline performance.

Denis is a cum laude graduate of Temple University with a master’s in journalism from the University of Missouri, where he graduated with Kappa Tau Alpha honors.

I am excited to have Denis lead this great newspaper. Please join me in wishing Denis luck in his new position.

Congrats to Chris and Denis!