Cox Enterprises has announced a series of executive promotions.

ProImage, a developer of innovative browser-based automated production workflow, has announced its newest team member: John Pourtless. He is joining ProImage as the new digital media sales manager and will be focusing on the sales and marketing of ProImage's Eversify Mobile Solution.

Stephen Wade has been promoted to president of The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle and Chronicle Media. The announcement was made by William S. Morris III, publisher of The Augusta Chronicle and chairman of Morris Communications.

Before his promotion, Wade served as general manager, and as vice president of audience for The Chronicle. He will continue his oversight of The Chronicle's news-gathering, digital, marketing, events and other day-to-day operations. Wade will also lead the expansion of new business diversification, as seen recently with the acquisition of BuzzOnBiz, LLC.

Carl E. Esposito has been named president of Adams Publishing Group – Tennessee/North Carolina (formerly Jones Media), adding to his responsibilities as publisher of The Daily Times in Maryville, Tenn. The announcement was made by Gregg Jones, president of APG - East and executive vice president of Adams Publishing Group.

Veteran newspaper executive Mike Distelhorst has been named publisher of the StarNews in Wilmington, N.C.

KBA North America has promoted Sam Pernice to the newly-created position of director of sales and service for KBA-MetalPrint products. For the past four years, Pernice has held dual roles as a sales and service representative in the web offset division and working to build customers within the KBA-MetalPrint division.

Rustan Burton, publisher of the Juneau Empire and Capital City Weekly in Juneau, Alaska, has stepped down to accept another job in the Midwest. The announcement was made by Deedie McKenzie, group publisher of Alaska Media Partners.

Jack Pate has retired as president and publisher of the Courier & Press in Evansville, Ind., and The Gleaner in Henderson, Ky. His role with the Courier Co. also encompassed the Union County (Ky.) Advocate and Audubon Printing in Henderson.

David Adams was recently named as the new publisher of GateHouse Media newspapers in central Illinois. He will oversee nine daily papers, 20 weeklies and 10 shoppers.

Henry Bird, regional executive for Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc., will retire March 31, capping a half-century newspaper career that started with his serving tea to editors in his native Ireland.