Gannett CEO to Resign Post Next Month

Gannett Co. said John Curley will quit as chief executive next month and will remain chairman of the publishing company until he retires next year. Douglas McCorkindale, president since 1997, will become chief executive June 1, and chairman when Curley retires next year at age 62. McCorkindale, 60, joined Gannett in 1971. Curley made the surprise announcement at the company’s annual meeting at its Arlington, Va., headquarters. He gave no reason, and in a statement said he planned “to do what I want to do when I want to do it.” Gannett’s mandatory retirement age is 65. Curley joined Gannett in 1969 and has been chairman and chief executive since April 1989. He also was president until McCorkindale was promoted in September 1997. Gannett shares fell $1.19 to close at $62.56 on the NYSE.