New publisher and executive editor named at the Star-Telegram

Sean Burke has been appointed by McClatchy as president and publisher of the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram. He succeeds Gary Wortel, who was promoted to lead McClatchy's West Region in March and is now president and publisher of The Sacramento Bee. Burke previously served as president and publisher for GateHouse Media New England.

In addition, Lauren Gustus, executive editor at the Fort Collins Coloradoan, will become the Star-Telegram's new vice president and executive editor, replacing Jim Witt, who retired last fall. Gustus will start June 19.

Burke, 54, has spent 30 years in the news industry in a variety of sales executive and leadership roles. He joined GateHouse in 2006 as publisher at the Old Colony Memorial, which had an additional 23 newspapers at the time.

"Sean has an excellent record of building teams and leading through the digital transformation," said Tony Berg, McClatchy's regional publisher for the Midwest. "His leadership, collaboration and commitment to community will serve the Star-Telegram and Tarrant County well."

At GateHouse, Burke was responsible for all advertising revenue related to digital, print and niche products. Under his guidance, the company launched new products and pricing programs and posted consistent year-over-year growth in digital revenue.

"The Star-Telegram has an incredibly solid foundation and commitment to the community," said Burke. "We remain steadfastly dedicated to high quality journalism and delivering products and services to our advertisers that meet their needs. As a company, we need to translate those values into the new media marketplace."

Burke was born and raised in the Boston area and holds a bachelor's degree from Boston University with a focus in marketing.

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