Tribune Company CFO John Bode to leave company

Tribune Publishing Company has announced that John Bode, executive vice president and chief financial officer, is leaving the company by mutual agreement to pursue other business opportunities. An executive search for a chief financial officer is underway, and Bode will be available as a consultant during the transition period until a successor is named.

Sandra J. Martin, the company's senior vice president of corporate finance and investor relations, has been appointed interim CFO. She will report to Jack Griffin, CEO of Tribune Publishing.

"John was instrumental in helping establish Tribune Publishing as a stand-alone public company," said Griffin. "We thank John for his significant contributions to the company and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

"Tribune Publishing is a terrific company well-positioned for the future," Bode said. "I was proud to help guide the company through its successful separation last year, and now is the right time to hand over the reins to a new CFO who can help the company further achieve its objectives."

Bode was appointed CFO of the publishing unit of Tribune Company in September 2013 and oversaw the successful separation of Tribune Publishing in August 2014.

Martin, who joined the company in Spring 2014, has considerable public accounting and public company financial management experience. Martin has previously served as the chief financial officer for Entech Solar and as the vice president and corporate controller for Belo Corp. She is also a certified public accountant.