A person inside the Morning News described this news to me as a “bombshell.” As the News merges functions with AHC, some big changes are going down. Jump for the full memo from Moroney, but Evelyn Miller (executive VP finance), Laura Gordon (senior VP marketing), and Darryl Thornton (VP human resources) are soon to leave the building.
It is with the deepest regret that John McKeon and I announce the departure of three of our company’s officers.
Evelyn Miller will be departing The Dallas Morning News on June 1. Evelyn’s accounting responsibilities will report into AHC corporate as part of an organizational restructuring. Evelyn will continue to oversee TDMN’s accounting responsibilities through the transition which will conclude on or slightly before June 1.
Laura Gordon will be departing on July 1. Laura has agreed to continue to oversee TDMN’s B2B and B2C marketing until July 1. Fran Wills will assume these responsibilities; post the launch of TDMN’s new Integrated Advertising Systems, an initiative that she is leading presently.
Darryl Thornton will also be departing on June 1. Like the TDMN Accounting department, the TDMN Human Resources department will merge with AHC’s Human Resources department. Like Evelyn, Darryl will continue to head up TDMN’s HR responsibilities through the transition, which will conclude on or slightly before June 1.
Evelyn was the first officer hire I made after becoming Publisher. She has been a close counselor, an important sounding board and a steadfast leader of our company during these difficult times. I will miss most her smart and reasoned judgment about financial matters, employee issues, and frankly any subject whatsoever.
While I did not hire Laura, I was smart enough to promote her into her position as head of Marketing for our company. From her first day here, Laura never let the consumer get out of her sight. In addition, she has been a tireless leader and cheerleader for innovation. And no one who was here will forget the energy and passion she brought to the 12 day march to launch Quick. I will miss most her ability to think independently in all situations and to offer important and different perspectives on most every important issue.
TDMN HR has not been the same since Darryl arrived. Before Darryl, TDMN HR was more administration than employee focused. Darryl instituted programs, events and awards that recognized employees’ extraordinary contributions and celebrated employee achievement. I will miss most Darryl’s unfailing positive attitude and unswerving dedication to every one of our company’s employees.
I hope you will join me and John in thanking these three exceptional individuals for all they have done to make this a better company. Their important contributions will last long after they have departed. — Jim
9 comments
Geez. I hate to think of what TDMN was like before it became less administration focused.
Laura Gordon, in the words of Ron Burgundy, is kind of a big deal. She had to sign off on just about every major initiative the DMN has undertaken in the past few years.
Gosh, you know, none of those people can trace their DNA to the core problems.
Is it just me or does Moroney sound more heartfelt and sincere in this memo than he has in other staff cut memos we’ve jumped for in the past? I guess these are much closer to home?
Kinda sounds like these three should have been writing this about Moroney and McKeon.
Stuart: No.
Did Tim run out of times he can use the word “Dallas” today?
Ah….the old muckety-mucks have to ungrease the skids for their cronies. Now, it hurts, right?????
Guess I missed something–what’s AHC?