NILES, Mich. - Jan Griffey, former reporter and managing editor of The Ironton Tribune, was recently named president of Leader Publications and publisher of The Niles Daily Star and The Leader.

She succeeds Doug Phares who stepped down from his position to pursue other interests.

Griffey, 42, had been editor and vice president of Leader Publications for the past three years.

"I'm truly excited to continue my career with Leader Publications in a place I have come to call home," Griffey said. "My goal will be to help our employees do the very best job they can of serving our readers and advertisers with excellent products and great customer service."

A native of Natchez, Miss., Griffey graduated from South Natchez-Adams High School in 1980 and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1984.

After graduation, Griffey came to Ironton and worked as a reporter first, then managing editor of The Ironton Tribune, earning a number of state press awards and honors during her time in Ironton.

Leader Publications, headquartered in Niles and with offices in Dowagiac, publishes the Niles Daily Star, Dowagiac Daily News, Cassopolis Vigilant, Edwardsburg Argus and The Leader.