New publisher named to assume duties Jan. 1

Following a six-month transition period, a leadership change will take place at the McCook Daily Gazette.

Gene Morris, the Gazette's publisher for the past 16 years, will leave the post at year's end and will be succeeded by Shary Skiles, the Gazette's general manager.

"We are fortunate to have a person with Shary's skills to direct the newspaper operation in the years to come," Morris said.

Skiles started with the Gazette as business manager in 1988 and advanced to the general manager's position in 2004.

Morris, 67, will remain with the newspaper in a part-time, advisory capacity. He will direct special projects and do special writing assignments. The change will also allow Morris to focus upon freelance writing and speaking projects.

Skiles is originally from Red Cloud. She attended McCook Community College and Kearney State College, where she majored in business. She is married to Doug Skiles, a partner in the firm of McPherron, Skiles & Loop, CPAs. Doug and Shary are the parents of two children, Megan, 15, and Ben, 11.

An active member of the community, Shary has served as coordinator of McCook United Way and as treasurer of McCook Arts Council. She also serves as treasurer of Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook.

Morris started with the Gazette in 1961 as a city beat and sports reporter. Through the years, he has also served as news editor, managing editor and publisher of the newspaper. In addition, Gene and his wife, Barbara, were owners of the Benkelman Post and he served stints as manager of the McCook Chamber of Commerce and managing editor of the Winfield (Kan.) Daily Courier.

Highlights of Morris' career include being named the first winner of the $10,000 Francis L. Partsch Award for Editorial Leadership. He also has served as president of both the Nebraska Press Association and the Nebraska Press Advertising Service.

"I have been honored to be associated with the Gazette, the McCook community and the Golden Plains area," Morris said. "This is a great place with great people. I look forward to working with the Gazette staff during the next six months to assure a smooth transition."

Skiles will become the sixth publisher in the 95-year history of the Gazette. Harry Strunk, the newspaper's founder, served as publisher from 1911 until his death in 1960. His son, Allen Strunk, followed as publisher from 1960 until 1986.

Other publishers have been Dick Gozia and John Burgess, who served from 1987 until 1990, and Morris, who became publisher in April of 1990.

Skiles said, "I'm really grateful to Gene and the Rust organization for allowing me to grow into the publisher's position. I look forward to serving McCook and the surrounding area in this new role. The strong leadership of the entire Gazette staff will allow us to continue to produce a quality newspaper with complete coverage of the news and events that are important to all of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas."