People

Debra Hershon, former publisher at Coastside News Group’s Half Moon Bay Review, is returning to the office upon the retirement of Barbara Anderson, the newspaper reports.

Larry Williams is now general manager at Century Group Media, the Fontana Herald News reports. Williams was previously Century Group’s advertising director and has been in newspapers since 2007, following a career in the grocery industry. Williams succeeds Tim Shoffeitt, who took an an internet advertising position in South Dakota.

Emilio Garcia-Ruiz begins later this month as editor in chief at the San Francisco Chronicle, the newspaper reports. He has been The Washington Post’s managing editor for digital operations since 2013. Garcia-Ruiz has had roles at The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times and St. Paul Pioneer Press

The San Fernando Valley Business Journal has included Jim and Lisa Rule, publishers of Acorn Newspapers, on its annual list of 200 leaders who work at improving the economy and the communities in the Conejo, San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys, the Thousand Oaks Acorn reports.

Lisa Cracraft is now general manager of Tank Town Media’s Tracy Press, the newspaper reports. She had been advertising director and has been with the newspaper for 20 years. “Lisa has demonstrated her leadership and devotion to both our newspaper and the community at large,” Publisher Will Fleet said. “It’s great to see her continuing her career…

With the pending retirement this month of Publisher Bill Parsons, Josie Chapman will become general manager of Rhode Island Suburban Newspapers’ Porterville Recorder in Tulare County, the newspaper reports.

MediaNews Group NorCal Publisher Jim Gleim will oversee The Monterey Herald and Santa Cruz Sentinel with the pending retirement of Gary Omernick, The Herald reports. Omernick had headed The Herald since 2007 and The Sentinel since 2013. At The Herald, Advertising Director Dana Arvig becomes operations manager; Dave Kellogg continues as managing editor. At The Sentinel, Advertising Director Steve Bennett becomes operations…

Don Blount in April expanded his duties as executive editor to include more focus on building connections and collaborations with Gannett’s The Record and the Stockton community. Blount had been top editor since 2017. His duties as market leader were added with the retirement of President and Publisher Deitra Kenoly.

Demian Bulwa returns to the San Francisco Chronicle as managing editor, The Chronicle reports. He will oversee the primary news, business and sports departments. Bulwa had been on the staff of Protocol and previously oversaw The Chronicle’s state and regional coverage.

Elizabeth Marie Himchak in April became editor of Union-Tribune Community Press’ Rancho Bernardo News Journaland Poway News Chieftain. She had been a staff reporter since 2006 and succeeded Steve Dreyer, who retired after serving for 27 years. Himchak also has written history articles for The San Diego Union-Tribune and freelanced for The Southern Cross, a Catholic newspaper.