A buncha changes involving the visual staff at the San Jose Mercury News today. Deputy Managing Editor Matt Mansfield breaks down the highlights:

1) Kevin Wendt becomes an Assistant Managing Editor, overseeing all sorts of stuff.

2) Jonathon Berlin will spend 2007 locked away in an undisclosed location working on the first major redesign of the Merc since 2000. He'll have help from all of us, but JB is the overall project manager/creative force.

3) Michael Tribble takes the helm as Design Director.

4) Jeff Hindenach and Kathy Sweeney become Deputy Design Directors.

Huzzah! Full memo from executive editor Susan Goldberg and managing editor Dave Satterfield after the jump.

Folks:

We are delighted to announce that Kevin Wendt will become an assistant managing editor at the Mercury News supervising Sports, the Copy Desk and the online operation at night. He also will continue to oversee the front page two nights a week -- on Monday and Tuesday.

Kevin has held a variety of roles since joining the Mercury News in 2000, including assistant business editor and news design director. He's excelled in every job he's had, including a temporary assignment that may have been his toughest: Kevin was part of the team that journeyed to Biloxi following Hurricane Katrina, helping in every aspect of the Sun-Herald's effort to publish after the storm; that coverage won a Pulitzer Prize.

Kevin, a graduate of Northern Illinois University, is known for his boundless energy, his forward-looking thinking, his can-do attitude and a high level of skills across platforms. He works incredibly hard. He does great imitations (ask him). We'd go on about Kevin, but you already know him and his considerable abilities. Kevin will have two bosses: he'll report to Dave on Sports and Copy Desk matters, and to Katharine for online. Please join us in congratulating him on his new role.

In addition:

Herschel Kenner will become Executive News Editor, continuing his excellent job of being our "adult in charge at night," putting out the paper Wednesday through Saturday and overseeing page one. He'll report to Dave.

Mike Mayer, designer and wire editor extraordinaire, will supervise page one on Sunday nights. Mike's a seasoned news editor and knows the Mercury News inside and out.

Rebecca Salner will take on added responsibilities in overseeing our Sunday and longer-term planning, in addition to her role as Assistant Managing Editor for Projects. As we've shared with department heads, Rebecca will be the main coordinator for all of our significant enterprise work. We'd also like to thank Rebecca for stepping in to oversee the sports department for the past year; she did a terrific job.

Jonathon Berlin will be detached for three special projects, the newspaper's impending move to the 48-inch web width and an associated overall redesign of our print product, as well as the switch to a new computer system for everyone in the newsroom (expected completion date: Fall 2007). Jonathon will continue to report to Matt Mansfield, but he'll be working with every newsroom department on these projects. Please give him your help.

Michael Tribble becomes the paper's design director, in Jonathon's absence. Michael has spent the last two years at the Merc, after coming to us from the Charlotte Observer. Michael will take the lead on features, biz and projects design. He will also take over as our primary contact with the pre-press and production departments. Michael will oversee all design that happens during daylight hours and is the go-to guy for all design issues (no matter when they happen). Michael reports to Matt.

Jeff Hindenach becomes deputy design director/nights. Jeff has spent the last six years as a force in news and business design. He's been a champion for attracting new readers by helping launch our ReadThis! efforts aimed at teens and as a board member of the Northern California chapter of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association that works hard for inclusion at every level. Jeff's knows the Merc and knows what makes great news design. Jeff will oversee all design at night. Jeff reports to Michael.

Kathy Sweeney becomes deputy design director/days and will continue the stellar job she has done organizing our features design. Kathy (and Sylvia Ulloa) helped the features design crew with the transition to CCI and have worked tirelessly to improve our processes in that area. Kathy reports to Michael.

Please congratulate everyone on the new roles. And thanks for all you do to make the Mercury News better every day.

Susan and Dave