Bob MacPherson, a veteran newspaper publisher and executive, has been appointed publisher of The News & Advance in Lynchburg, Va.

The opportunity to become publisher of the Winston-Salem Journal dovetailed the professional and personal paths neatly for Alton Brown, who took over the duties May 16.

Brown replaced Kevin Kampman, who retired May 15, as publisher and vice president of BH Media Group's group of 11 newspapers in North Carolina that includes The News & Record of Greensboro.

Sue Violi has been promoted to the role of community relations director for the Omaha World-Herald.

Donald Blount was recently named as the new editor of The Record in Stockton, Calif.

Publisher Tom Silvestri has named Nicole McMullin the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch's online brand director. She will be tasked as the master collaborator in executing company-endorsed priorities that advance the paper's online business and improve the digital customer experience.

The Supervisory Board of Koenig & Bauer AG has appointed Ralf Sammeck and Christoph Müller to the Executive Board, effective June 1. As of today, Sammeck leads the Sheetfed division, and Müller the Digital & Web division. Both group management members will represent their segments on the Executive Board.

Rick Hohlt, who for 26 years has served as publisher of the Ruston Daily Leader, has retired.

John Celestino, an experienced newspaper executive, has been appointed publisher of the Niagara (N.Y.) Gazette, and Lockport Union-Sun & Journal.

Celestino succeeds Chris Voccio, who recently retired as publisher of both papers after a 30-year newspaper career.

Kevin Kampman, publisher of the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal, will retire next week.

Kampman, 60, made the announcement in an email to staff Monday.

Jeff Jeffus, president of WEHCO Media's newspaper division, has announced his retirement. Mark Lane, corporate vice president of sales with Morris Communications in Augusta, Ga., will replace Jeffus, 69.