Sentinel has new publisher

Ramona’s 126-year-old newspaper has a new publisher.

Phyllis Pfeiffer, group publisher of the coastal division of Ramona Sentinel’s owner, MainStreet Media San Diego, replaces Jeff Mitchell, Sentinel publisher since March 2008. Mitchell is returning to Northern California as publisher of the Santa Cruz Good Times, also a MainStreet publication.

2012.publishersDeborah Keller, advertising director of the Ramona Sentinel, has been promoted to general manager and will be responsible for day-to-day management of the Sentinel’s business operations. Prior to joining the Sentinel, Keller was an advertising executive with several publications in San Diego County, including retail sales manager for the San Diego Union-Tribune, PennySaver, ADVO and Get1Free.

The general manager position was created due to a reorganization of MainStreet Media San Diego. Anthony Allegretti, president and CEO or MainStreet Media, announced the reorganization.

“Jeff Mitchell has done an outstanding job with our inland papers,” said Allegretti. “The Good Times, one of the country’s premier alternative weeklies, offers Jeff and his wife Anna an opportunity to return to their roots in Northern California.”

Pfeiffer, who is publisher of the La Jolla Light, Rancho Santa Fe Review, Del Mar Times, Solana Beach Sun and Carmel Valley News, will add the Sentinel, Poway News Chieftain and Rancho Bernardo & 4S News Journal to her responsibilities.

“Phyllis has had extensive experience with weeklies, dailies and metropolitan newspapers,” said Allegretti. “She has been instrumental in improving the editorial quality and financial stability of our coastal publications.”

Keller will report to Pfeiffer as will Maureen Robertson, editor of the Sentinel.

“Ramona is a very special community,” said Pfeiffer. “I have tremendous confidence in the journalistic and leadership abilities of Maureen and Debbie to continue the excellent traditions of the Sentinel, Ramona’s only weekly newspaper.”