Daughtry retires, new publisher named

GALVESTON — Les Daughtry Sr., publisher and editor of The Daily News for 20 years, said Monday he is retiring from full-time work with the newspaper for health reasons. He will continue to be associated with the newspaper as publisher and editor emeritus.

Daughtry will remain at The Daily News on a part-time basis as consultant and adviser to the new publisher, Randolph C. "Dolph" Tillotson.

Tillotson began work Monday. He moved to Galveston from Natchez, Miss., where he was publisher and editor of The Natchez Democrat. Tillotson, 37, also was president of Boone Newspapers Inc. and Natchez Newspapers Inc.

"I am excited to be here," Tillotson said. "From what I've seen of Galveston, it looks like an exciting, dynamic place to live. I look forward to getting to know the community and the people who live here. My goals are to continue the excellence and service that make The Daily News a fine newspaper."

Tillotson said he also looks forward to working with Daughtry, who he has known for more than 12 years.

Health problems for almost two years have made it necessary for Daughtry to limit his activities and have made it impossible for him to continue as full-time publisher.

Daughtry came to The Daily News as publisher in June 1967. In 20 years, Daughtry said he has seen The Daily News grow from a circulation of 12,000 in 1967 to roughly 30,000 today.

During his tenure, the paper was converted from an afternoon edition to a morning edition and another day was added to the printing schedule. Daughtry attributes these changes to the paper's rise in acceptance by the community.

"It has been my great pleasure to serve The Daily News and, in so doing, serving the citizens of Galveston County for 20 years."

The Daily News, founded in 1842, is the oldest newspaper in Texas.

Daughtry said he is looking forward to his new role.

He said Galveston is fortunate to have Tillotson to lead The Daily News at this time. Under Tillotson's leadership, Daughtry said, The Natchez Democrat received numerous awards for editorial quality. It was cited as the outstanding non-metropolitan newspaper in Mississippi by the Mississippi Press Association for the past four years in a row.

"He'll bring that same sort of performance to Galveston," Daughtry said. "I'm sure the readers of The Daily News will greatly benefit."

Daughtry began his newspaper career 25 years ago as a sales trainee with The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser. He worked in several sales roles at the Montgomery newspaper and eventually became advertising director there. Daughtry came to Galveston in 1967.

Daughtry is past president and board member of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce. He also has been very active as a board member of the Salvation Army. He has been involved in various boards and civic work during his 20 years in Galveston.

Tillotson was born in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and earned a journalism degree from the University of Alabama in 1972.

He began his newspaper career in 1969 as a reporter at The Tuscaloosa News, where he rose to the position of city editor.

In 1973, Tillotson was named editor-general manager of The Natchez Democrat, where he served two years before moving to Oskaloosa, Iowa, to take a position as editor and publisher of The Oskaloosa Daily Herald, a Boone newspaper.

He was named president of Boone Newspapers Inc. in 1980, working as group manager.