DAVENPORT, Iowa — Lee Enterprises has reassigned publishers to Longview, Wash., and Racine, Wis.

Rick Parrish of The Journal Times in Racine will become publisher of The Daily News in Longview, filling a vacancy. He has been publisher in Racine since 2007.

Mark Lewis of The Garden Island in Lihu‘e, Hawai‘i, will become publisher in Racine. He has been publisher in Lihue since 2006.

In making the announcement in Racine, Lee vice president Carl Schmidt said: "Rick has been a marvelous leader here in Racine. I know you'll miss him and he'll miss you, but this move gives him the opportunity to return to his home state. You'll become equally impressed with Mark Lewis. Like Rick, he's a talented and experienced leader who builds and sustains great teams. Also like Rick, he'll help you continue making the JT even better for readers, online users and advertisers."

At a staff meeting in Longview, Lee vice president Mike Gulledge said: "I am thrilled to have Rick in Longview. He has an outstanding track record of success in our corporation. He is innovative, moves with a sense of urgency and is passionate about our business. In addition, Rick cares deeply about his employees and the community. Western Washington is home for Rick and his family. It is ideal when we can match a career opportunity with the ability to move back home."

Before becoming publisher in Racine, Parrish had been advertising director at The Journal Times since 2005. Before joining Lee, he was retail advertising manager at the Idaho Statesman in Boise, and previously advanced in sales, administration and management positions at The Seattle Times. In Seattle, he served as advertising sales executive, online sales executive, advertising sales manager and general manager of the newspaper's distribution subsidiary. He received a bachelor's degree in accounting from Central Washington University.

He and his wife, Jan, and son, Troy, have been volunteers at the Sacred Heart Parish and John Paul II Academy. Rick coached baseball and basketball for Racine Youth Sports. Rick also served on the boards of the Downtown Racine Corporation and Racine Area Manufactures and Commerce.

"I will miss the great employees at The Journal Times and friends we've made throughout the Racine community. If it weren't for the chance to move home we never would have left Racine," Parrish said.

Before becoming publisher in Lihu‘e, Lewis was director of operations for Lee's newspaper in Sioux City, Iowa, the Sioux City Journal. He began his newspaper career with Lee in 1988 at the Lincoln Journal Star in Lincoln, Neb. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1989 and returned to Lincoln in 1993, advancing to interim circulation director. In 1998 he left Lee to become state circulation director of the Omaha World-Herald, and in 2000 joined the Honolulu Star-Bulletin as part of an executive team that launched a new paper after it split from its JOA partner, The Honolulu Advertiser. He returned to Lee in 2002 as circulation director of the Sioux City Journal, and in 2004 was promoted to director of operations. In 2008, Lihu‘e was a finalist for enterprise of the year, Lee's highest award.

He and his wife, Lisa, have three children. Both he and Lisa have been active in the Lihu‘e community, where he served as president of the Kaua‘i Food Bank, was a board member of Hawaii Publisher's Association, and on the advisory committee for the American Red Cross and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is also a lifetime member of the VFW, the Marine Corps League and Sigma Chi. Lisa has continued her work with the American Cancer Society, devoting many hours volunteering and has been co-chair for the last two major ACS galas.

"I am excited to join The Journal Times and look forward to getting to know the staff, as well as the Racine community. Leaving Kaua‘i is bittersweet as we say aloha to a community that has been our 'ohana' (family) for the last 3 plus years. All that is left to say is 'a hui hou' (until we meet again)."

Randy Kozerski, controller, has been appointed interim publisher in Lihu‘e.

Lee Enterprises operates 53 daily newspapers, online sites and more than 300 specialty publications in 23 states. Lee's newspapers have circulation of 1.5 million daily and 1.8 million Sunday, reaching four million readers daily. Lee's online sites attract 14 million unique visits monthly, and Lee's weekly publications have distribution of more than four million households. Lee's markets include St. Louis, Mo.; Lincoln, Neb.; Madison, Wis.; Davenport, Iowa; Billings, Mont.; Bloomington, Ill.; and Tucson, Ariz. Lee stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LEE. For more information about Lee, please visit www.lee.net.