Idaho Statesman names new publisher

Debra Leithauser was named president and publisher of the Idaho Statesman on Tuesday.

Leithauser, 44, has been the president and publisher of McClatchy’s Centre Daily Times in State College, Pa. since early last year. She replaces Mike Jung, who left the Statesman in August. She begins work in Boise on Nov. 9.

“I’m eager to help the Statesman expand its role as the community’s leading source for news and advertising,” Leithauser said. “To do that successfully, we have to find new, creative approaches that work even better for our readers and advertisers. I’m excited to work with this talented staff and I can’t wait to see the innovative ideas we’ll implement in the coming months.”

Leithauser joined McClatchy in 2012 as the top editor at the former McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Before joining McClatchy, she spent almost a decade as an editor at The Washington Post, overseeing a variety of print and digital content. She was editor of the Post’s online GoingOutGuide and the print entertainment section Weekend. She previously served as editor of The Washington Post Magazine.

“As a working journalist most of her career, Debra holds dear McClatchy’s commitment to quality journalism and public service,” said Pat Talamantes, McClatchy’s president and CEO. “As a leader and publisher, she has also embraced our digital transformation, both on the news side and the business side. She’ll be a terrific asset to the Idaho Statesman and the Boise community.”

Leithauser, born into a military family, was raised primarily in Hawaii and Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida with honors, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Leithauser and her husband, Tom, have two sons, Luke, 12, and Zack, 7.

McClatchy operates media companies in 28 U.S. markets in 14 states.

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Idaho Statesman names new publisher."