BLOCK COMMUNICATIONS

Blade exec to oversee operations at 2 newspapers

7/23/2013

Zerbey

THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT
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Joseph H. Zerbey IV has been named vice president of newspaper operations for Block Communications Inc. in addition to his positions as president and general manager of The Blade.

His promotion was announced Tuesday by Allan Block, chairman of Block Communications.

Mr. Zerbey, 70, will remain based in Toledo and will oversee operations for both The Blade and its sister newspaper, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Block Communications is a diversified media holding company headquartered in Toledo. Its holdings include The Blade, Buckeye CableSystem, and the Post-Gazette, among others.

“Joe has a long career in newspaper publishing and this added responsibility is the result of his many accomplishments,” said Mr. Block. “His skill sets meet with our needs.”

Mr. Zerbey joined The Blade as general manager in 2004 and was named a vice president shortly thereafter. He was promoted to president in 2008.

Mr. Zerbey grew up around newspapers. His family started the Pottsville Republican, the newspaper in his hometown of Pottsville, Pa. After receiving a degree in American studies from Syracuse University, he joined the U.S. Army, where he was a captain.

He started his newspaper career in advertising sales at the Bristol Press in Connecticut, where he worked his way up to publisher in 1986. Before joining The Blade, he had been head of the Salt Lake City Newspaper Agency.

Mr. Zerbey is chairman of the University of Toledo board of trustees, president of The Toledo Club, chairman of the Lucas County Economic Development Corp., incoming chairman of the Toledo Zoo Foundation, a member of the Toledo Symphony Board, and a member of the Toledo Rotary Club.