• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, May 14, 2007

The chief of Gannett's 23-station broadcasting operation and prominent industry advocate Roger Ogden will retire in July, the company said.

President-CEO Ogden, 62, has been in his role since 2005 and also served as Gannett's senior vice president of Design, Innovation and Strategy. Ogden launched his career at Gannett's Denver station 40 years ago and became news director there in 1978.

After stints with other companies, Ogden came back to Gannett in 1997, and became senior vice president of the broadcasting group in 1999.

"Gannett has always been home base for me throughout my career, and I appreciate all that I've been able to do here," Ogden said. "I've always said I'll know when it's time, and that time has come. Going out as head of the best broadcast group in the USA and returning to my home in Colorado makes this difficult decision easier."

Ogden has been an advocate for the local broadcast industry in various capacities, including work with TVB.