Bulletin's publisher to leave Norwich paper

Paul Provost, publisher of The Bulletin in Norwich, has announced he is leaving the GateHouse Media-owned newspaper April 13 after 2½ years at the helm.

Provost, a Colchester resident, will become a regional vice president in charge of sales at New Haven-based Digital First Media Inc., taking responsibility for properties in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and Vermont.

"It's going to be really exciting," Provost said in a phone interview. "This company is at the forefront of all the exciting possibilities (in the media field)."

According to an online posting Monday at The Bulletin's website, Provost "made significant strides in improving the quality and efficiency of the operation" and is moving on "to a new career challenge."

Provost took over from former Bulletin publisher Ellen Lind in September 2009, who was replaced suddenly after leading the newspaper for six years. Provost is a Norwich Free Academy and Eastern Connecticut State University graduate and an Army veteran.

Digital First manages the Journal Register Co., whose 10-state chain of newspapers includes a daily in New Haven, and the MediaNews Group Inc., the second largest newspaper chain in the United States in terms of circulation.

Brad Dennison, a GateHouse executive, said on The Bulletin's website that an announcement regarding a replacement for Provost will be made soon.

The struggling GateHouse chain, in its latest financial report, raised the possibility of a bankruptcy. Facing more than $1 billion in debts that come due in 2014, GateHouse has been relegated to penny-stock status, currently trading at 6 cents a share.

"There can be no assurance that our business will generate cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness," GateHouse Media said in its annual report. "If we are unable to repay our indebtedness at maturity we may be forced to liquidate or reorganize our operations and business under the federal bankruptcy laws."

l.howard@theday.com