Randy Blair, chief operating officer of Black Press B.C. operations has announced the appointment of Warren Goulding as publisher of the Cowichan Valley Citizen.
As well, Goulding will be responsible for the management of the Lake Cowichan Gazette, the Chemainus Valley Courier, Arbutus magazine and various niche publications produced by Black Press.
In a recent transaction, Black Press acquired the Chemainus Valley Courier and Arbutus magazine. Both were owned by Goulding who has been publisher of the Courier since 2005.
“I’m very pleased to have Warren join us as group publisher,” Blair said. “He has a passion for newspapers and for the Cowichan Valley. Warren is well-known in the community and we look forward to benefiting from his experience.”
Goulding has more than three decades of newspaper experience, much of it in Saskatchewan where he owned community newspapers and worked as a journalist for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
“I’m excited to be joining a great team of dedicated newspaper people at the Citizen,” Goulding said.
“We have a very experienced and talented staff in every department and I’m looking forward to continuing a strong tradition of quality journalism and community involvement with the Citizen as well as the Courier and the Lake Cowichan Gazette.”
There are plans to expand the distribution schedule for the Chemainus Valley Courier.
“The Courier has been a successful newspaper that the community has supported for more than a decade,” notes Goulding.
“Black Press recognizes the strength of Chemainus and is confident of a strong future for Chemainus and the region. It’s exciting that we’re going to be able to increase the frequency for the Courier.”
An office will be established in Chemainus and weekly publication should begin by mid-June.
The Citizen also bids farewell to longtime publisher Shirley Skolos, who was at the Citizen for 31 years, wishing her all the best in her future endeavours.