Examiner publisher to retire June 13, Lewis to return as publisher

DAVE KUCIFER

After almost five decades of fighting daily or weekly deadlines, trying to decide the best way to serve the community, worrying about advertisers and striving to get everyone’s name spelled correctly, Examiner Publisher Dave Kucifer announced this week he would retire June 30. His last day on the job as publisher will be June 13.

“My decision to retire was not reached easily,” he said. “When I came out of retirement and accepted the opportunity to publish The Examiner, little did I realize how quickly Shirley and I would be accepted in the community. Since October 2003, we have called Navasota home and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, which we both believe to be bright,” Kucifer added.

“From the start, it has been our goal to serve Navasota and Grimes County supporting the many positive aspects in our city, county and school system as each have dedicated themselves to making our area a great place to live and raise families,” he continued.

Kucifer said he plans to remain serving on the Grimes County United Way Board and as an Ambassador for the Navasota/ Grimes County Chamber of Commerce. He is also considering several opportunities to remain active in other areas of the community.

“While I’m not going to have a full time job, I fully intend to stay involved and you might even see my ‘by line’ in The Examiner from time to time,” he added.

Replacing Kucifer as publisher will be former Examiner Managing Editor Dave Lewis, who has been publisher of The Madisonville Meteor, a sister paper, since Aug. 7, 2006. Lewis will assume his new position on June 16.

Joining him will be his wife, Cue, who will serve as advertising manager for The Examiner.

The Lewis’s have worked together in the newspaper business for more than 20 years, having owned their own publications in Collin, Denton and Grayson counties. They have worked together in Madisonville since 2007, and are looking forward to returning to Grimes County.

“We have owned our home here since 2005, and we’re both excited about being back home,” they said.

“We have really missed Navasota and Grimes County and we’re looking forward to renewing our friendships here.”