• by Fern Siegel , July 20, 2010

New York Daily News editor in chief Martin Dunn is leaving the newspaper after seven years. Kevin R. Convey, editor in chief of The Boston Herald, will replace him.

Dunn has been editor in chief since 2005. From 2003 to 2005, he served as the paper's editorial director. He also carried the title of deputy publisher. His departure, announced to his staff via memo, is due to a family medical issue.

Convey, a 33-year newspaper vet, has helmed the Boston Herald since 2007. He began as a general assignment reporter before working political and investigative beats. In addition, he worked as city editor, Sunday editor and managing editor.

Daily News chairman Mort Zuckerman said of Dunn's tenure, "the newspaper broke many exclusive stories, won many awards, most recently for our ground-breaking work on compensation and financial help for 9/11 rescue workers. His strong editorial vision has permeated the paper."

Dunn was also instrumental in the integration of the Daily News' recent acquisition of modern, full-color presses.

Convey called the paper's staff "some of the most talented people in the newspaper business and the Web anywhere in the world."

When asked about the future, he said he would build on its current success as "New York's most widely circulated and best-read newspaper. ... We've kept the Herald vital by focusing on local coverage, enterprise, teamwork, populism, passion and humor. These are already strengths of the Daily News, and I think further emphasizing those strengths can make it an even better newspaper."

Joe Sciacca has been named editor-in-chief of the Boston Herald, succeeding Convey.