Chapman to Quit Post as Knight-Ridder Chair

Alvah Chapman will step down as chairman of media company Knight-Ridder Inc. effective Oct. 1, and will be replaced by Chief Executive James K. Batten.

Chapman, 68, who has headed the board since 1982, will continue to serve as chairman of the company’s executive committee and a director and will also serve as a consultant.

Batten, 53, who is also a board member of the Associated Press, will continue as CEO when he assumes the chairmanship, the company said.

“Everyone who cares about Knight-Ridder and has a stake in its success will be forever indebted to Alvah Chapman,” Batten said. “In the Chapman years, Knight-Ridder has grown steadily stronger in its performance on behalf of all our stake holders--our customers, our employees, our communities and our shareholders.”

P. Anthony Ridder, 48, will succeed Batten as president and continue as president of Knight-Ridder’s newspaper division.

Chapman said he intends to remain active in Miami and will serve as chairman of the Florida International Univeristy Foundation Board of Trustees and as vice chairman of the Miami Coalition for a Drug-Free Community.