UPDATE: Gannett CEO Medical Leave Expected To Last 4 Months
June 15 2009 - 5:55PM
Dow Jones News
Gannett Co. (GCI) said Chairman and Chief Executive Craig Dubow
will take a medical leave of absence after back surgery.
Company spokeswoman Tara Connell said Dubow, 54 years old, is
expected to be out for four months due to a spine-related medical
issue. She declined to elaborate on his ailment, saying there's no
consideration of replacing Dubow permanently.
The company's chief financial officer, Gracia C. Martore, will
serve as the publisher's principal executive officer until Dubow
"is able to return to work," the company said.
In a statement, Dubow said he looks "forward to a full
recovery."
"I am confident that Gracia and our strong, experienced
management team will continue to execute our strategic plan while I
am recovering," he added.
Gannett, publisher of USA Today, is the nation's largest
newspaper chain.
Its shares closed Monday at $4.10, down 2.8%, amid a general
market sell-off; they were inactive after hours.
-By Nat Worden, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2472;
nat.worden@dowjones.com
(Kathy Shwiff contributed to this story.)