The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI) today named Rodney K. Mahone as president and publisher of the Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Ga.

Mahone, 43, has been the vice president of advertising at the Ledger-Enquirer since 2009 and has spent his entire career at the newspaper. He replaces Valerie D. Canepa, who is resigning to pursue other interests. The change is effective Dec. 6.

"I want to thank Valerie for her leadership at the Ledger-Enquirer and all of her service to McClatchy over the years," said Gary Pruitt, McClatchy's chairman and chief executive officer. "While we'll miss Valerie, we're pleased to promote Rodney to the publisher's position. As someone who grew up in Columbus -- and who grew up professionally at the Ledger-Enquirer -- Rodney is uniquely qualified to lead the paper at this important time in our industry."

Mahone joined the Ledger-Enquirer as a part-time circulation zone manager in 1990 shortly after graduating from Georgia Southwestern University with a bachelor's degree in business administration. In 1991, he moved to the newspaper’s advertising department where he has worked ever since, rising through the ranks to lead the department.

As vice president of advertising, Mahone oversaw more than 30 employees and a department that generated $16 million in annual revenue.

"Rodney has a deep personal and professional connection with Columbus and the surrounding communities," said Bob Weil, McClatchy vice president, operations. "He understands the significant contributions a healthy and vibrant Ledger-Enquirer can offer the community and he's committed to securing that future."

Mahone was born into a military family in Frankfurt, Germany, and moved to Columbus in the seventh grade. He and his wife, Deirdre, have two children, Brandon, 11, and Brittany, 7.

"The newspaper industry and the Ledger-Enquirer have experienced a tremendous amount of change in the last few years," Mahone said. "Despite all of that change, a few things have remained constant: The Ledger-Enquirer is still the No. 1 source of news and information in the community, we remain a value for advertisers, and we've got an excellent group of employees who give 150 percent every day. I'm proud to work with them."

Canepa, 51, steps down after 16 years with McClatchy. She joined the company in 1995 as an assistant metro editor of The Fresno Bee. She became editor of The Fresno Bee's community publications two years later and, in 2001, was promoted to director. In 2003, she was named president and publisher of The Herald in Rock Hill, S.C., and was named president and publisher of the Ledger-Enquirer in 2007.

"I've decided to go back to school, get a master's degree and pursue a career in social services," Canepa said. "I'll miss the daily interaction with the staff here in Columbus and the energy of working for a newspaper. At the same time, I'm ready for new challenges and excited about what the future holds."

About McClatchy

The McClatchy Company is the third largest newspaper company in the United States, publishing 30 daily newspapers, 43 non-dailies, and direct marketing and direct mail operations. McClatchy also operates leading local websites in each of its markets which extend its audience reach. The websites offer users comprehensive news and information, advertising, e-commerce and other services. Together with its newspapers and direct marketing products, these interactive operations make McClatchy the leading local media company in each of its premium high growth markets. McClatchy-owned newspapers include The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Kansas City Star, The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer (Raleigh).

McClatchy also owns a portfolio of premium digital assets, including 14.4% of CareerBuilder, the nation's largest online job site, 25.6% of Classified Ventures, a newspaper industry partnership that offers two of the nation's premier classified websites: the auto website, Cars.com, and the rental site, Apartments.com and 33.3% of HomeFinder, LLC which operates the real estate website HomeFinder.