Downing Assumes New Post at The Times

Kathryn M. Downing today officially assumed her new post as president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Times, where she is responsible for all its business and production divisions, the newspaper announced.

Times Mirror Co., parent of The Times, announced last March that Downing would assume those positions following the divestiture of Mosby Matthew Bender, where she has served as president and CEO. Times Mirror has announced the completion of the acquisition of Matthew Bender by Reed Elsevier and expects to complete divestiture of Mosby in the third quarter. In addition to assuming her responsibilities at The Times, Downing will continue as president and CEO of Mosby until the divestiture is completed.

Downing, 45, replaces Donald F. Wright, 64, who will continue as executive vice president of Times Mirror.

“Kathryn is joining the Los Angeles Times at a very exciting and pivotal time in its history,” said Mark H. Willes, publisher of The Times and chairman and chief executive officer of Times Mirror. “As The Times continues to grow and set new standards for excellence in the industry, her vitality and superb leadership will be one of our greatest assets.”

“I feel very privileged to be joining the Los Angeles Times,” Downing said, “and I look forward to working with an outstanding management team and an organization of talented employees.”

“It’s a pleasure to welcome Kathryn to The Times,” Wright said. “She is a leader in the truest sense of the word, and I know that people at The Times and throughout the newspaper industry will enjoy getting to know an exceptional professional and person.”