Tribune Publishing, a division of Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB), has named David D. Hiller president, publisher and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Times, effective immediately. He succeeds Jeff Johnson, who resigned today.

Johnson had been publisher of the Times since March 2005. He joined the newspaper in May 2000 as senior vice president/general manager, after holding positions at other Tribune newspapers, its education unit and in the corporate office, which he joined in 1984.

“Jeff and I agreed that this change is best at this time because Tribune and Times executives need to be aligned on how to shape our future,” said Scott Smith, Tribune Publishing president. “We thank Jeff for his leadership of important advances at the Times and his significant contributions during his Tribune career.”

“David Hiller is the best media executive to lead the Times as it continues to innovate to serve the changing needs of its customers,” said Smith. “He has held a number of key executive positions during his 18 years with Tribune Company, and has outstanding publishing as well as new media experience.”

“The Los Angeles Times is a truly great newspaper that has played an important role in Southern California since its founding 125 years ago,” said Hiller. “We look forward to building on the newspaper’s heritage of outstanding journalism as we evolve to meet the needs of our readers, advertisers and the community we serve.”

Hiller has served as president, publisher and chief executive officer of Chicago Tribune Company since November 2004, leading the newspaper and its related businesses.
Prior to the Chicago Tribune, Hiller held a series of key management roles at Tribune, including president of Tribune Interactive from 2000 to 2004. He also served as senior vice president of Tribune Publishing in 2003 and 2004, overseeing the Baltimore Sun, Hartford Courant, Tribune Media Services and other operations. He was senior vice president/development for Tribune Company from 1993 to 2000, and joined Tribune in 1988 as vice president/general counsel.

Smith will take on additional responsibility as president and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, replacing Hiller on a temporary basis. From 1997 to 2005, Smith was president, publisher and chief executive officer of the Chicago Tribune and its related developing businesses. He has been a Tribune publishing and corporate executive since 1979.