D-R Media & Investments announced that Kurt Vantosky has been appointed president of the company’s newspaper group, bringing more than four decades of experience in media leadership, operational excellence and community-centered journalism. Vantosky will oversee all newspaper operations across Florida, guiding strategy, digital transformation, audience growth and revenue development.
Vantosky’s career spans senior roles at organizations such as Advance Media, Hearst and McClatchy, as well as at family-owned newspapers such as Central Maine Newspapers. He has deep experience in growing revenue, as well as a significant understanding of news, circulation and group-level management. Known for strengthening local journalism and building high-performance teams, he has earned a reputation as a hands-on, data-driven executive who understands both the business and the mission of community newspapers.
“I’m honored to join D-R Media at such a pivotal moment for local journalism,” said Vantosky. “This company has a strong foundation, dedicated employees and deep ties to the communities it serves. My focus will be on strengthening our current print operations, expanding our digital reach and ensuring our newspapers remain trusted sources of information for the people who rely on them. Local news matters, and I’m excited to help lead a company that believes in that mission.”
D-R Media owner David Dunn-Rankin said Vantosky’s arrival marks an important step in the family-owned group’s long-term strategy. “We plan to be in the newspaper business a long time. Hiring Kurt is part of our commitment to the future.”
Vantosky will replace Dunn-Rankin in the role as president of the newspaper group. Dunn-Rankin said, “While I intend to be active with our newspapers until I’m six feet under and pushing up daisies, I also recognize that I turn 68 this year and want to ensure we have a sustainable plan for the future.
“Because of our other business interests, I am only doing the job part-time, which isn’t giving the newspapers, our employees or our communities the full-time dedication they deserve. I am also fortunate enough to have five grandchildren living very close to me, and I realize that before I know it, they’ll be off to college. For the employees who think maybe they’ll see me a lot less — not in the cards.”
Vantosky will begin meeting with teams across the company over the coming weeks as he transitions into the role. He said his priority is listening first. “The people inside these newspapers know their communities better than anyone, and are doing good work,” he said. “My job is to support them, remove obstacles and help us build a future where local journalism thrives.”
D-R Media owns seven award-winning newspapers in four rapidly growing central Florida counties between Orlando and Tampa.
