Columbus newspaper editor appointed to post at Akron Beacon Journal

<p>Mike Burbach, executive editor and vice president of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Ga., since 1997, has been named managing editor of the Akron Beacon Journal.</p><p>Burbach, 44, succeeds Debra Adams Simmons, who was managing editor for six months before being promoted to editor and vice president last July.</p><p>We have to look really hard for that intersection of what we can be really good at and what people want, Burbach told the Beacon Journal staff Tuesday. He will start the new job Feb. 16.</p><p>Burbach also has worked at the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald, the American News of Aberdeen, S.D., the Minot (N.D.) Daily News and the Detroit Free Press. A native of Nebraska, he graduated from the University of North Dakota.</p><p>The Beacon Journal has a daily circulation of about 143,000 and Sunday circulation of 186,000, while the Ledger-Enquirer has a circulation of 50,000 daily and 60,000 on Sundays.</p><p>Both are owned by Knight Ridder.</p><p>Burbach joined the Ledger-Enquirer staff in the spring of 1997. Publisher John Greenman told the Columbus staff of Burbachs departure Tuesday. He praised Burbach for improving the newspapers journalistic standards.</p><p>No. 1, he changed the culture of the place, Greenman said. The newspaper is more open, more inclusive, less cynical, more optimistic and robust. That is reflected in strong reader satisfaction, growing circulation and recognition by industry peers.</p>

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