Publisher of Vacaville, Vallejo newspapers to retire in September

The publisher of two Solano County newspapers will retire at the end of next month, according to a statement issued on Thursday.

Jim Gleim worked as the publisher and vice president of around a dozen daily print publications throughout Northern California, including the Vacaville Reporter and the Vallejo Times-Herald.

"Obviously, you reach this point in your life with some massive mixed feelings," Gleim said in a statement on Thursday. "My divisional team and those I have had the pleasure of working with across the newspapers in NorCal these past 13 years have been nothing short of amazing, delivering a community crafted, unique product daily to the doorsteps, desktops and devices of our readers."

Gleim cited his family as one primary reason why he decided to retire after spending more than a decade with the newspaper group.

"The grandkids are growing up way too fast and with a recent move they have conveniently congregated in the Milwaukee area," Gleim said. "At this point in their lives and ours, that is where we feel we need to be."

The Vacaville and Vallejo newspapers are owned by Colorado-based MediaNews Group, which also does business as Digital First Media. Under Gleim's watch, both Solano County papers have seen a reduction in pages and staff due to downward economic forces in the print news industry — one that has caused similar reductions at newspapers in other communities.

During his time with MediaNews Group, the Vacaville newspaper moved from its long-time home on Cotting Lane to a small office building in the city's downtown district. Two years ago, the company announced plans to move the administrative and sales portion of its Vallejo newspaper to the same downtown Vacaville office, while keeping a small reporting staff in Vallejo.

As publisher, Gleim also oversaw sales and editorial operations at MediaNews Group's various other Northern California newspapers, including the Woodland Daily Democrat, the Chico Record-Enterprise and the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Gleim's publishing duties will be split among two other MediaNews Group executives. Steve Bressoud, the chief financial officer of MediaNews Group's Northern California newspaper arm, will oversee operations in Vacaville and Vallejo.

"In my last 25 years as the CFO, I have been blessed to have worked with numerous outstanding publisher, editors, sales executives, circulators and other departmental leaders to understand their goals and challenges," Bressoud said in a statement. "I am excited to work with the talented staff at our local papers and welcome the opportunity to continue the legacy of local news through our newspapers and websites."

No other executive or newsroom shake-ups at the Solano County papers were expected as part of Gleim's retirement.