Patricia A. Bennett, a veteran newspaper advertising executive, has been appointed publisher of The Daily Independent in Ashland, Ky., and its affiliated publications. She replaces longtime publisher Eddie Blakeley, who resigned recently.

Frank Leto, a veteran newspaper executive, has been appointed publisher of The Joplin (Mo.) Globe, succeeding Mike Beatty, who recently resigned to become president of APG Media in Florida.

Ron Gutierrez, a veteran Iowa newspaper executive, has been appointed publisher of the Ottumwa Courier.

Gutierrez was publisher of the Clinton Herald. He will continue in that role under his expanded regional responsibilities in southern Iowa.

Jake Mienk, publisher of the Palestine Herald-Press and Corsicana Daily Sun, has expanded his publisher responsibilities to two additional Texas papers: The Huntsville Item and the Jacksonville Progress.

Lisa Chappell, a veteran Texas newspaper executive, has been appointed publisher of the Cleburne Times Review. She replaces Kay Helms, who recently retired.

Lisa Chappell, a veteran Texas newspaper executive, has been appointed publisher of the Weatherford Democrat and the Mineral Wells Index. She succeeds Jeff Smith, who recently retired.

Chappell is currently the publisher of the Gainesville Daily Register and the Greenville Herald-Banner, and their affiliated weekly publications in Royse City, Commerce and Rockwall County. She will continue in that role as well.

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc., has announced the appointment of Greg Maibach to the new role of senior vice president for digital revenue.

Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. announced that Robyn McCloskey, publisher of the Kokomo Tribune and the Logansport Pharos-Tribune in Indiana, has been appointed to also serve as publisher of the Tribune-Star in Terre Haute. She succeeds B.J. Riley, who left the Tribune-Star as publisher July 1.

Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. has announced that Mike Beatty, publisher of The Joplin (Mo.) Globe, has been appointed senior vice president/operations, effective immediately.

Henry Bird, regional executive for Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc., will retire March 31, capping a half-century newspaper career that started with his serving tea to editors in his native Ireland.