Chris Ballantine on Wednesday was named CEO and publisher of Ballantine Communications, which owns and operates three newspapers in Southwest Colorado and northwest New Mexico — including The Durango Herald.
Ballantine, 40, comes from a multigenerational newspaper family and has played a behind-the-scenes role in the company for many years. He has served on the BCI board of directors since 2012, and currently serves as secretary. He has also held various positions in the company, namely in circulation.
He is the son of former publisher Richard G. Ballantine, who remains chairman of the board of directors and chairman of the editorial board. He has a twin brother, David, who is a BCI board member and in the process of moving to Durango from Los Angeles. ...
He recently completed the America’s Newspapers’ Executive Development Program, which trains up-and-coming media professionals.
He succeeds John Blais, who served as the company’s CEO and publisher since January 2024.
