Lisa DeSisto Appointed CEO and Publisher at MaineToday Media

Maine’s largest newspaper business, MaineToday Media (MTM), has named experienced digital media and newspaper executive Lisa Desisto as CEO of the company and Publisher of The Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram, effective this month. She joins MTM from Boston Globe Media, where she was Chief Advertising Officer and General Manager, Boston.com, responsible for overall revenues and innovation in digital product strategies for one of the nation’s most successful digital newspaper businesses.

DeSisto brings her considerable energies and experience to MaineToday Media at a pivotal stage, under new ownership from local businessman and philanthropist Donald Sussman, who is committed to stabilizing the business as a stronger presence in the community, and growing its news gathering capabilities following a challenging period under previous investors. MTM publishes the flagship Portland Press Herald as well as websites, daily and weekly newspapers in Augusta, Waterville, and Bath.

Lisa is a graduate of UMass Amherst and lifelong New Englander. She and her husband Tim Padgett and son are in the process of relocating north from Wakefield, MA to the Portland area.

The search for MaineToday Media’s new CEO was led by Cara Erickson of NewCoordinates, LLC, in partnership with the MaineToday Board of Directors and leadership team.