Business News
Chicago Tribune Announces Editor Transition
Tuesday 15. July 2008 - Ann Marie Lipinski Stepping Down; Gerould Kern Appointed As New Editor
The Chicago Tribune today announced that Ann Marie Lipinski is stepping down as the newspaper’s senior vice president and editor and that Gerould W. Kern will succeed her in that position. Kern has served as Tribune Publishing’s vice president/editorial since 2003, and spent 11 years at the Chicago Tribune in a variety of senior leadership positions in the newsroom.
“Ann Marie has had a brilliant career at this newspaper since starting as an intern in 1978,” said Bob Gremillion, executive vice president of Tribune Publishing. “She was named editor in 2001 and has led the newsroom with grace, passion, and a commitment to journalistic excellence. We wish her the very best in future pursuits.”
Kern becomes the newspaper’s 21st editor. He joined the Chicago Tribune in 1991 as suburban editor after serving as executive editor and managing editor of The Daily Herald in Arlington Heights, Ill. Kern led the expansion of the Tribune’s suburban news coverage, and was appointed associate managing editor/metro in 1993. He was named deputy managing editor/features in 1995, and began applying investigative techniques to features disciplines and creating award-winning journalism. In 2001, Kern became associate editor of the Chicago Tribune, and later that year was named editorial director for Tribune Publishing, coordinating editorial cooperation and coverage for the company’s daily newspapers. In addition to his publishing group role, Kern recently was named vice president/news and features for Tribune Media Services (TMS).
“Gerry will be an outstanding editor,” said Gremillion. “In his role with Tribune Publishing, he’s been instrumental in leading collaboration and rethinking newsroom strategy and organization across our newspapers. His credentials as a journalist and editor are impressive and he cares greatly about the future of the Chicago Tribune.”
Kern said, “I am deeply honored and excited to rejoin the Chicago Tribune. This is a critical time in the history of this great newspaper, but I am confident that we will meet the challenges ahead. The Chicago Tribune has a long history of innovation in the face of change, and our staff possesses the talent, vision and drive to lead us into the future.
“I was privileged to work alongside Ann Marie for more than a decade,” Kern added. “Her achievements and contributions to the success of the Chicago Tribune across her 30-year career were absolutely extraordinary.”
“It has been a privilege to have served as editor of this great paper,” Lipinski said. “I am ready for new challenges but leave with a fierce affection for my newsroom and the Chicago Tribune.”
Prior to becoming editor, Lipinski headed the newspaper’s investigative team, served as metro editor, managing editor and executive editor. In 1988, she was one of three reporters awarded a Pulitzer Prize for a series of stories about corruption involving Chicago’s City Council. During her tenure as editor, the Chicago Tribune won Pulitzers in international reporting, feature writing, explanatory reporting, editorial writing and investigative reporting.