AUGUSTA, Ga. - Les Simpson, executive editor of the Athens Banner-Herald and Athens Daily News, was named assistant general manager of The Augusta Chronicle late Monday. Simpson will assume his new responsibilities early next month. He succeeds John Fish, who left the Chronicle June 2 to become publisher of The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal.

A former management intern with Morris Communications, Simpson spent eight years with the Chronicle in positions ranging from copy editor to features editor. He joined the Athens newspapers in 1996 as managing editor and was promoted to executive editor in 1998.

"We have watched Les build an outstanding career over the past 12 years," said William S. Morris III, publisher of the Chronicle and chairman and CEO of Morris Communications Corp. "Both the newspaper and the company will benefit greatly from his experience and knowledge in every area of news operations."

Morris Communications, parent company of the Augusta, Athens and Topeka newspapers, is a privately held media company with diversified holdings that include newspaper and magazine publishing, outdoor advertising, radio broadcasting, book publishing and distribution, and computer services.