Phyllis Pfeiffer named president of U-T Community Press
U-T San Diego has named Phyllis Pfeiffer as president of U-T Community Press.
Pfeiffer previously served as vice president and general manager of U-T Community Press, a group of nine community newspapers including: Ramona Sentinel, Poway News Chieftain, Rancho Bernardo News Journal, La Jolla Light, Rancho Santa Fe Review, Del Mar Times, Carmel Valley News, Solana Beach Sun, and the new Encinitas Advocate.
Pfeiffer brings a depth of knowledge and experience, having begun her newspaper career at the La Jolla Light, where she served as publisher from 1977-1987.
“Phyllis is an important member of the executive team that steers not only the community papers, but all of our efforts,” said Jeff Light, U-T San Diego president and editor. “Her industry credentials and personal character make Phyllis a person of rare insight and good judgment – precisely the sort of executive we need in the leadership of this company.”
Papa Doug Manchester, publisher of U-T San Diego, added, “I have known Phyllis for 30 years and have always admired her dedication to excellence in journalism and especially her leadership skills. I am most confident of her ability to take the community newspapers to additional heights.”
Pfeiffer left the Light more than 25 years ago to become general manager of the Los Angeles Times San Diego Edition. After the Times closed in San Diego, Phyllis headed north to become president and publisher of the Marin Independent Journal. She later became vice president of advertising and marketing for the Contra Costa Times and senior vice president of advertising for the San Francisco Chronicle.
“The transition to U-T San Diego ownership in 2014 has been a boost to local community journalism” said Pfeiffer. “The weekly newspapers that make up U-T Community Press have retained their independent voices, their local staffs, and the editorial content that is tailored to each community.”
Pfeiffer noted that another big benefit of this new association has been the U-T San Diego encouragement and financial support to bring more local news to other San Diego communities, along with sophisticated digital marketing programs for small businesses in these areas.
“Readers can look forward to better mobile and online access to our community news and information in 2015 and beyond,” she said.
A graduate of Cornell University, Pfeiffer is the founding chair of the La Jolla Community Foundation and a member of the Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board at UC San Diego. She lives in La Jolla with her husband, Stephen Pfeiffer, a forensic clinical psychologist.
