Media General Announces Exec Changes

Media General Inc., today announced that O. Reid Ashe Jr., 62, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will retire from the company and its board of directors on Dec. 31. The company also announced the appointment of three executive officers to new positions, effective Oct. 1.

“Throughout a 40-year career in the media industry, Reid has distinguished himself as a leader. In the past 15 years, he has become particularly well known for leading change within our industry as it transforms itself into a true multimedia model for both journalism and sales,” said Marshall N. Morton, 65, Media General president-CEO. “Media General has been fortunate to have Reid as its chief operating officer since 2001. His leadership as a member of our original team in Tampa that pioneered convergence has been invaluable as we have implemented our digital media strategy. We look forward to Reid’s continued leadership as we transition to a new management structure.”

On Oct. 1, George L. Mahoney, 59, will become VP, growth and performance, an operation that was established in 2009, the company said, “to further intensify the company’s focus on digital media opportunities and operational excellence initiatives.” Mahoney is currently VP, general counsel and secretary.

John A. Schauss, 55, will become VP, market operations, with responsibility for all of the company’s local media properties within its five geographically-focused markets. Schauss is currently VP, finance and chief financial officer.

James F. Woodward, 51, will become VP, finance and chief financial officer. Woodward is currently group VP, growth and performance. 

Ashe joined Media General in 1996 as president and associate publisher of the Tampa Tribune and became publisher at the beginning of 1997. He was elected to Media General’s board in 2002. Prior to joining Media General, he had been president and publisher of the Wichita Eagle since 1986. Ashe received a degree in electrical engineering from MIT in 1970.

Mahoney has been the company’s general counsel and secretary since he joined Media General in 1993. He was elected a corporate VP in 2006 and leads the company’s innovation process. Prior to joining Media General, he was assistant general counsel for Dow Jones & Co. from 1982-1993. He worked in New York City for the law firm Satterlee & Stephens from 1978-1982, specializing in First Amendment and intellectual property matters. He holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Virginia.

Schauss has been VP, finance and chief financial officer since 2005. He joined Media General in 2001 as the company’s treasurer and also has been responsible for the company’s strategic planning process. Prior to joining Media General, Schauss was deputy treasurer of George Washington University in Washington, and before that COO of Eastern College in St. Davids, Pa. Schauss has also held executive-level administrative and financial positions at Tulane University in New Orleans. He received bachelor’s degrees in business administration and finance from Ball State University, and he completed MBA studies at Regent University and the University of Indianapolis.

Woodward has been group VP, growth and performance, since 2009. Previously, he was VP, corporate human resources from 2005 to 2009. During his 28 years with Media General, he has served as staff accountant, audit manager, assistant controller of Richmond Newspapers, manager of human resources systems for the finance department, and as director of human resources from 1999 to 2005. He received a B.S. degree in accounting from James Madison University.