David Lawrence Resigns as Miami Herald Publisher

Posted on August 6, 1998

Knight Ridder announced that David Lawrence Jr., chairman and publisher of the Miami Herald Publishing Co., is stepping down as publisher. Lawrence, 56, has been publisher since 1989. He will retain the title of chairman during a transition period through the end of the year, said Frank McComas, Knight Ridder senior vice president/operations.

McComas announced that Alberto Ibarguen will succeed Lawrence as publisher of the Miami Herald Publishing Co., which publishes The Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald, effective immediately. Ibarguen, 54, joined the company in 1995 as publisher of el Nuevo Herald. He also is vice president of international operations for The Herald.

"We are very sorry that Dave Lawrence has decided to step down," McComas said. "Fortunately, Dave has assembled a strong leadership team. Alberto Ibarguen is well prepared to succeed him."

Tony Ridder, chairman and CEO of Knight Ridder, said: "Dave's decision is disappointing. We made it very clear to him that this was unwelcome news and that we wanted him to continue in the job. Nonetheless, I respect Dave's decision and I know that he agonized over this a long time. I'm also very grateful that he has agreed to remain as chairman of The Herald for this transition period through the end of the year.

"In so many ways, Dave has been a superb publisher for Knight Ridder, first at the Detroit Free Press, where he was publisher for four years, and during these last nine years at The Herald," Ridder said.