Morris names Simpson publisher of Amarillo Globe-News

AUGUSTA - Morris Communications Co. announced Thursday that Lester T. Simpson, assistant general manager of The Augusta Chronicle, has been promoted to publisher of the Amarillo Globe-News in Texas. <br> <br> Four other executives were named in a series of promotions announced by Morris&#39; newspaper division. <br> <br> Simpson will assume his duties in Amarillo Aug. 1, succeeding Garet von Netezer, who will remain in place to aid the transition until the end of the year when he plans to step down. <br> <br> Simpson began his newspaper career with Morris Communications as a management intern in 1987, holding various editorial positions at the Chronicle. He became managing editor of the Athens Daily News/Banner Herald in 1996 and executive editor in 1998. He was promoted to his present position with the Chronicle in July 2000. <br> <br> Also effective Aug. 1: <br> <br> Julian Miller becomes president of The Augusta Chronicle. Miller, who has been the Chronicle&#39;s general manager since 1988, will continue his current responsibilities. <br> <br> Donald W. Bailey will succeed Simpson with the title of general manager of The Chronicle. He is currently advertising director for the Savannah Morning News. <br> <br> Stephen A. Beasley, current director of sales of the Amarillo Globe-News, will become general manager of the Savannah Morning News. Beasley has been with the Globe-News for 11 years after spending 12 years with the Lubbock (Texas) Avalanche-Journal. <br> <br> David B. Meadows becomes general manager of The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal. Meadows has been support services director of the Savannah Morning News since 1998, with responsibility for information technologies and facilities management.