David Laventhol (Inducted 1997)

Laventhol, now Editor at Large at Times Mirror, was the first editor the Style section at the Washington Post. Later, at Newsday, he directed the development of that paper's now-famous Part II entertainment and lifestyle section.

Of Laventhol, Shelby Coffey says, "David has a great ability to synthesize ideas and a great sense of reader interest. He is a brilliant person with a popular touch. He brought these qualities to Newsday and their Part II section."

Laventhol began his career in 1957 with the St. Petersburg Times, where he was a reporter and then News Editor. In 1963, he joined the New York Herald as city editor. Laventhol moved to Newsday in 1969 as Associate Editor and in 1978 be became Publisher and Chief Executive Editor.

Laventhol was named President of Times Mirror in 1987 and then served as Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Times from 1989 to 1993. Under his leadership, the paper won three Pulitzer Prizes.