After six years as publisher of the Free Lance, Michael Eastman
announced Monday his resignation from the newspaper effective April
15.
After six years as publisher of the Free Lance, Michael Eastman announced Monday his resignation from the newspaper effective April 15.
In an address to the employees of the paper, Eastman stated that the staff had become like a second family.
“At 42 and after 12 years in the newspaper industry, I am interested in pursuing a different career path,” he said. “I’ve had a really good experience and I look forward to a change and a new challenge.”
The Free Lance has served San Benito County for 130 years, and has won numerous awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, including General Excellence in 2002. The newspaper is part of a group known as Pacific-Sierra Publishing, which includes the Gilroy Dispatch, Morgan Hill Times, Los Banos Enterprise and Santa Cruz Good Times.
Group Publisher William Barry said, “We appreciate what Michael has done for the Free Lance and what he has done on behalf of our newspapers in the community these past six years; Michael will be both missed and always welcome at the Free Lance.”
A search will begin immediately to find someone to assume the responsibility of leading the newspaper and furthering our community relationships, Barry said.
Eastman graduated from the Department of Communications at California State University, Fullerton in 1985. His first publishing position was at the South Haven Daily Tribune, Michigan. In 1996, he became publisher of the Los Banos Enterprise. Eastman was transferred a year later and became the publisher of the Free Lance in 1997.
Free Lance Editor Bill Satterlee who has been with the newspaper group for 12 years, expressed sadness about the resignation.
“Michael always made this place a family atmosphere,” Satterlee said. “I’m confident the company will bring in someone who has a passion for community journalism and for San Benito County.”
Eastman said he will strive to make the change a “smooth transition.”
