Times Mirror Reorganizes, Promotes 3

Times Mirror Co. on Wednesday announced a reorganization that will combine some corporate departments with similar ones at its Los Angeles Times subsidiary to speed decision-making and communication and reduce duplication.

The Los Angeles-based news and information company also outlined new duties for several officers as part of the overhaul.

Among the changes are the integration of the corporate human resources, information systems and facilities departments into comparable departments at the Los Angeles Times; the consolidation of the Times Mirror and Los Angeles Times legal staffs; and the creation of a new company to purchase supplies and services.

No layoffs are expected immediately because of the moves, although a small number of jobs might be eliminated later, a Times Mirror spokeswoman said. About 55 of 210 Times Mirror employees are affected by the restructuring, she said.

As part of these changes, Times Mirror announced three promotions. William A. Niese was appointed vice president and general counsel of Times Mirror, Elizabeth V. Drewry was named senior vice president of human resources at the Los Angeles Times, and Steven J. Schoch will become president and chief executive officer of the new purchasing company in addition to retaining his responsibilities as corporate vice president and treasurer.

Niese, 61, will be responsible for a new Times Mirror law department, which consolidates the Times Mirror and Los Angeles Times legal staffs. Niese has served as senior vice president of law and human resources at the Los Angeles Times since 1990. Niese succeeds Kathleen G. McGuinness, who will advise the management of Mosby Matthew Bender, a Times Mirror publishing unit, on strategic planning.

Drewry, 46, will oversee a new department at The Times that combines the staffs of The Times and Times Mirror human resources departments. Drewry was vice president of employee, labor and public affairs at Newsday and a member of the newspaper’s senior management committee.

Schoch, 38, will oversee a newly formed company established to improve Times Mirror’s purchasing power. The new company will consolidate Times Mirror’s real estate and risk management departments as well as certain other functions. Times Mirror Supply Co. will also be merged into the new company.

“These internal promotions reflect our desire to closely align our corporate staff activities with the needs of our operating companies,” said Mark H. Willes, Times Mirror chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Under the leadership of these outstanding individuals, the new operations will allow us to maximize our effectiveness and accelerate decision-making and communication.”