Former West Central Tribune publisher named vice president of newspapers for Forum Communication Co.

Steve McLister, former West Central Tribune publisher, has been named vice president of newspapers for Forum Communications Co. in Fargo, N.D.

In his new role, McLister will be expected "to foster sales and Internet initiatives as the company positions itself for industry changes in 2009 and beyond," company president Lloyd Case said Tuesday in a company press release.

McLister is currently publisher of Forum Communications's Duluth Newspaper Group in Duluth. The company has not yet named a succeeding publisher for the Duluth Newspaper Group, but a statement issued by the company said the search "will begin immediately.

McLister joined the News Tribune on July 1, 2007, replacing Marti Buscaglia.

In announcing his pending departure via a company-wide e-mail, McLister said: "It's with a heavy heart that I will be leaving our group in a couple of months, albeit for an exciting opportunity in our company.

"In my new role, I will continue to work with all of you on the journey I've been a privilege to be a part of the last 16 months. This work isn't done, but you all have helped to lay the foundation for reshaping the News Tribune and our community papers to be competitive and successful in what is still a vibrant, exciting industry."

McLister, age 50, has been in the newspaper business since 1979. He joined Forum in 1995, when the chain purchased the Mitchell (S.D.) Daily Republic from Thomson Newspapers. He served as publisher of that newspaper until 1997, when he named publisher of the West Central Tribune. He was promoted to general manager of The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead in 2000 and served in that capacity until taking the job in Duluth.

Lloyd Case, president of Forum Communications Co., issued a statement saying: "Steve brings a great deal of sales and management ability to our newspaper group and will be a great addition to our leadership team."

The Duluth Newspaper Group includes the Duluth News Tribune, the Superior Telegram and the weekly Duluth Budgeteer News, Cloquet Pine Journal and Lake County News Chronicle in Two Harbors.