Augusta, Ga. - Morris Communications has named veteran newspaper executive Steve K. Stone to the new position of vice president and chief financial officer for newspapers and shared services. The appointment, announced today by President Will Morris, is effective April 11, 2002.

Stone will be taking on responsibilities generated by the company's Project STAR (Shared Technologies and Resources) initiative, a recently launched program designed to analyze company operations for improved efficiencies. In that role, he will become a key member of the senior executive management team. Stone will be based at the new Shared Services Center to be established at corporate headquarters in Augusta.

"Bringing an executive of Steve's seniority and experience into our company is a major step forward in our commitment to Project STAR," said President Morris. "His 23 years of financial and technical experience with Knight Ridder, plus several of this country's major newspapers, give Steve the ideal background for helping us to reach our goal of greater efficiency in our operations."

"Leaving Knight Ridder was a difficult decision, but this position is a great opportunity," said Stone. "It's a perfect fit. I will be able to leverage my background and experience to make a significant contribution."

Stone comes to Augusta from Miami, Fla., where he has been assistant vice president/shared services for the Knight Ridder corporation since 1995. Prior to that, he spent three years as vice president and chief financial officer for The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer and five years as finance director and controller for The Miami (Fla.) Herald. Earlier in his newspaper career, Stone held various finance and accounting management positions with The Fresno (Calif.) Bee; the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News; the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer and The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle-Beacon.

Stone, a native of Kansas, has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southwestern College, Winfield, Kan., and attended graduate school at Wichita State University. He and his wife, Kathy, have three children.

Morris Communications 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. For more information see the company's Web site at www.morris.com.