Heartland Publications CEO Michael Bush has appointed newspaper veteran Jim Freeland as the new publisher of the Portsmouth Daily Times. Freeland took over the helm of the Portsmouth paper Monday. He comes to Portsmouth from another Heartland newspaper, the Gallipolis Daily Tribune in Gallipolis Ohio where he also served as publisher of The Daily Sentinel in Pomeroy Ohio and Point Pleasant Register in Point Pleasant WV since May of 2004.

"We are really excited to promote Jim to this important position, under Jim's leadership you can expect good things to happen, as we have a shared vision to make this good newspaper even better. Jim's done an excellent job for us In Gallipolis, his experience and knowledge will benefit Portsmouth and the surrounding communities we serve." Bush said.

öIm extremely pleased to have the opportunity to come to Portsmouth and work with this talented staff,ä Freeland said. öI look forward to working with the leaders in the communities we serve as well as partnering with our advertisers. We are committed to providing our readers with a quality newspaper.ä

Originally from Marietta Ohio, Jim began his newspaper career at the News and Sentinel in Parkersburg, WV where he spent 17 years working his way up to Operations Manager. He left that paper to become publisher for Liberty Group Publishing in Keyser WV and then in Marion Illinois. When the opportunity opened up to return to the Ohio River Valley and Gallipolis for Heartland Publications, öI jumped at the opportunity to come home," Freeland said.

Freeland said he and his wife, Heather, "are looking forward to living in and becoming a part of the Portsmouth community."

Jim replaces Clifton Forrest who has left the company to pursue other opportunities. " I am confident that the greater Portsmouth area will continue to be well-served by the management and employees of the Portsmouth Daily Times." Forrest said.