Mitch Pugh was named executive editor of the Chicago Tribune on Aug. 10, 2021. (Wade Spees / The Post and Courier)

       A summer of transition for the Chicago Tribune under new hedge fund ownership continued with the announcement Tuesday of a change at the top of the masthead.

       Colin McMahon is stepping down as editor-in-chief after a challenging 18 months at the helm of Chicago-based Tribune Publishing’s flagship newspaper. The last day for the longtime Tribune reporter, editor and executive, who also serves as chief content officer for Tribune Publishing, will be Aug. 20.

       Succeeding McMahon will be Mitch Pugh, who has been named executive editor of the Chicago Tribune after eight years in the same role at The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina. His first day will be Aug. 30.

       “The search for a new editor included a diverse group of candidates both inside and outside of Tribune Publishing,” Chicago Tribune General Manager Par Ridder said in a memo to employees. “Ultimately, it was decided that Mitch was the right person for the role given his significant journalistic achievements, leadership skills and experience driving digital subscriber growth.”

       Chrissy Taylor will continue to serve as managing editor, reporting to Pugh.

       Pugh, 47, a native of tiny Riverton in central Illinois near Springfield, grew up with a Chicago Tribune mailbox at the end of his driveway. A graduate of the University of Illinois Springfield, Pugh started his journalism career as a part-time sports reporter at The State Journal-Register while completing his degree.

       After two years as a reporter with the now defunct Crystal Lake Sun in northwest suburban Chicago, Pugh transitioned to editing at newspapers in Colorado and Missouri before becoming editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa in 2007.

       How ownership of Tribune Publishing — the parent company of the Chicago Tribune — has changed since 2006 ？

       Pugh has been executive editor of the family-owned Post and Courier since 2013, overseeing a 90-person newsroom with responsibility for the digital subscription team as well. Under his leadership, the newspaper won a 2015 Pulitzer Prize for public service journalism and was a finalist for four other Pulitzer Prizes.

       Moving to the Chicago Tribune is an “awesome responsibility,” Pugh said, and he plans to follow a similar playbook to his time in South Carolina.

       “For me, watchdog and accountability journalism has to be at the heart of everything we do every day,” Pugh said. “And that’ll be where we start.”

       Pugh arrives at the Chicago Tribune during a tumultuous time for the 174-year-old newspaper in the wake of hedge fund Alden Global Capital’s $633 million acquisition of Tribune Publishing in late May. More than 40 Chicago Tribune journalists, including many high-profile reporters and editors, accepted a voluntary buyout, leading to a shuffling of talent to fill key vacancies.

       Colin McMahon is stepping down as editor-in-chief of Chicago Tribune. (Francis Son / For the Chicago Tribune)

       McMahon, 58, a Cleveland native and graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, joined the Chicago Tribune in 1987 as a copy editor after working for several Ohio newspapers.

       A former foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, McMahon became national content editor in 2009, overseeing nonlocal coverage for Tribune Publishing newspapers. He was named editor-in-chief of the Chicago Tribune in February 2020, replacing Bruce Dold.

       His tenure as editor-in-chief required navigating a global pandemic, the acquisition by Alden and a major talent exodus in the newsroom, while keeping the newspaper on mission.

       ”After a dozen years in leadership roles throwing myself at this goal — including the last 18 months of unprecedented challenges — I feel it’s time to move on,” McMahon told employees in a memo Tuesday. “As we enter a new era at Tribune, I believe the newsroom will benefit from an injection of new energy and commitment.”

       McMahon has not revealed his future plans.

       ”I’m looking forward to the next chapter,” McMahon said, declining to comment further.

       In addition to the Chicago Tribune, Tribune Publishing owns The Baltimore Sun; the Hartford Courant; the Orlando (Florida) Sentinel; the South Florida Sun Sentinel; the New York Daily News; the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland; The Morning Call in Allentown, Pennsylvania; the Daily Press in Newport News, Virginia; and The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia.

       Here is the text of Par Ridder’s memo:

       I am writing to let you know of a change in newsroom leadership. Mitch Pugh has been named executive editor. He will be replacing Colin McMahon, who has decided to leave the company.

       Mitch comes to Chicago from Charleston, South Carolina, where he has been the executive editor of The Post and Courier since 2013. In this time, Mitch led the team to a 2015 Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for Public Service and the paper has been a finalist in four other Pulitzer categories including breaking news, local reporting, feature photography, and feature writing. Under Mitch, the paper also earned a James Beard Award for its food content and a Gerald Loeb Award for its business content. In addition to running The Post and Courier newsroom, Mitch headed up the digital subscription team.

       The search for a new editor included a diverse group of candidates both inside and outside of Tribune Publishing. Ultimately, it was decided that Mitch was the right person for the role given his significant journalistic achievements, leadership skills and experience driving digital subscriber growth.

       Mitch will report to me and will start on August 30th. Chrissy Taylor will continue in her role as managing editor and will report to Mitch as will Michelle Lopez and Elaine Varvatos. Colin’s TCA and corporate teams will report into Wayne Lown.

       Colin’s last day will be August 20th. Since joining the Tribune as a copy editor, Colin has served in a variety of roles including metro reporter, foreign correspondent and foreign editor, Perspective editor and, ultimately, editor-in-chief. He has excelled in each position and made significant contributions to the Tribune over this time. Colin has also been a wonderful colleague and partner to me. I am sorry to see him go but wish him the best.

       During the next few months, Mitch will be in the market from time to time but will mostly work remotely until he and his family make the move to Chicago. Mitch is anxious to meet everyone and will be setting up meetings over the next few days.

       Here is the text of Colin McMahon’s memo:

       Dear colleagues,

       As you read in Par’s memo, I have decided to leave Tribune. I wanted to share a few words of explanation.

       This fierce, tireless newsroom knows how much energy and commitment our mission demands. Just look at the terrific work you’ve done over the last tumultuous weeks: A cascade of first-rate journalism that testifies to your talent and dedication.

       Those who know me know how much energy and commitment I bring to the challenge of sustaining our newsroom, our journalism and the impact we make on our communities.

       But after a dozen years in leadership roles throwing myself at this goal--including the last 18 months of unprecedented challenges--I feel it’s time to move on.

       As we enter a new era at Tribune, I believe the newsroom will benefit from an injection of new energy and commitment. I’m so pleased that we have such a strong, dedicated leadership team at Chicago Tribune. I’m proud of the role I have played in building and empowering that team. I know l leave the place in the best of hands.

       I could threaten to write a book that no one would read about my time at Tribune. I grew up here, after all. Instead, I will just offer my gratitude to everyone who gave me the guidance to learn and the space to mess up and come back smarter and stronger.

       I hope this newsroom does that forever: Gives people the space to be who they are, the support and encouragement to develop their talents, the tolerance to forgive flaws and allow people to learn and grow.

       Regards,

       Colin

       As Americans pay more for rent, landlords get some relief

       37m

       Comfort food: Nonprofit gives Americans 100K free lasagnas

       1h

       Breaking News Chicago’s travel advisory now covers majority of US — including Wisconsin and Indiana — as delta variant continues to surge

       1h

       Criminal Justice Brothers charged in weekend slaying of Chicago police Officer Ella French are ordered held without bond

       1h

       Drink Bourbon County 2021: Goose Island intrigues with lineup of beer aged in Old Forester 150th Anniversary barrels, cola-flavored stouts

       8:00 AM