Civitas Media, Lima News parent company, names CEO

First Posted: 1/20/2015

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Ralph James Martin has been named chief executive officer of Civitas Media, the parent company of The Lima News and 100 other newspapers.

Martin brings decades of experience in the newspaper industry, most recently as president and CEO of Trib Total Media in Pittsburgh, where he grew the business during the past 12 years. He also served as founder, president and CEO of Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., a group of 180 daily and weekly newspapers; as vice president of Newspapers for Park Acquisitions Inc.; and with Thomson Newspapers, where he rose from retail advertising sales to president of Thomson’s Eastern Region, Newspapers. Martin currently serves as chairman of the board of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association and is a trustee of Robert Morris University.

“Ralph’s deep community newspaper experience and his ability to grow businesses strategically and financially will bring the right leadership to Civitas,” said Gregory Segall, chairman of the board of Civitas Media and CEO of Versa, the controlling shareholder.