• by Ray Schultz , August 24, 2023

Two Gannett periodicals have announced executive appointments that appear to reflect a trend at the company.  

In one, Tom Claybaugh was named general manager for the Fort Myers, Florida market at the Fort Myers News-Press, effective Oct. 1. He will work with the paper’s executive editor to strengthen local connections, according to the News-Press. 

Claybaugh has worked in vice presidential posts in Tennessee, New York and the Carolinas, the News-Press reports. Most recently, he was regional vice president of market solutions for Southwest Florida. 

In another appointment, Shannon Welch was named general manager of the Des Moines Register, effective Oct. 1. She will work with Carol Hunter, executive editor of the Register, to strengthen relationships with local businesses and drive community-based engagement.

Welch currently serves as vice president of advertising sales for Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, and has also worked at Gannett in a variety of sales roles.