Washington Post publisher and chief executive Fred Ryan told employees on Monday that he was stepping down, ending nearly a decade as the newspaper’s top executive. He was appointed by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and owner of the Post.
In a memo to staff, Ryan said his next job would be to lead a new project, the Center for Public Civilization, by the Bezos-backed Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.
“Today, declining civility has become a toxic and corrosive force that threatens our social interactions and undermines the foundations of democracy,” Ryan, 68, wrote in a note. “I have a strong sense of urgency about this issue.”
In a separate letter to employees, Bezos thanked Ryan for his work and said he had led the paper through a period of “innovation, journalistic excellence and growth.” He will remain with the publisher for the next two months.
Patti Stonesifer, former chief executive of low-income clothing company Martha’s Table, will become the Post’s interim chief executive, Bezos said.
“You’ll soon see why I admire her,” Bezos said. She said, “Her skills, judgment and character all stand out. She also understands the importance of our mission and has a deep respect for the work we do here.” .”
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