Alaska Dispatch News announced leadership changes this week. President and Executive Editor Tony Hopfinger will be stepping down as editor later this month but will remain president of the company, Publisher Alice Rogoff told staff members this week.
Managing Editor David Hulen will become executive editor.
Hopfinger will be moving to Chicago to be near an ill family member. He will regularly travel to Anchorage in his role as president, Rogoff said.
"We are all deeply saddened about the illness in Tony's family, and what that means for the Dispatch," Rogoff said. "But Tony is not leaving us altogether. He will work remotely from Chicago, return to Anchorage as often as possible, and remain president of our company. Tony will also contribute to coverage, as needed, as an editor-at-large.
"On a brighter note, David Hulen has helped guide our newsroom through the last year since our merger, and has been nothing but a steady and able leader," Rogoff said. "We are fortunate that David will become executive editor with this transition.
"So on balance, we feel well prepared to begin our second year as Alaska Dispatch News with this rearranged editing team. With vigorous online coverage, a new daily Economy page in print and more innovations in the works, we hope our readers will continue to value our coverage of this great state."
Hopfinger co-founded the online Alaska Dispatch and oversaw the merger of the Dispatch and the Anchorage Daily News after Rogoff purchased the newspaper from the McClatchy Co. last year. Hulen was a longtime editor at the Anchorage Daily News and has been managing editor of Alaska Dispatch News since the sale.