Fred Ryan, the publisher and chief executive of The Washington Post, told employees on Monday that he was stepping down, ending his nearly decade-long run as the newspaper’s top business executive.
He was appointed by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and owner of The Post.
In a note to staff, Mr. Ryan said that his next job would be leading the Center on Public Civility, a new project by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute that is backed by Mr. Bezos.
“Today, the decline in civility has become a toxic and corrosive force that threatens our social interactions and weakens the underpinnings of our democracy,” Mr. Ryan, 68, wrote in the memo.
“I feel a strong sense of urgency about this issue.”Mr. Bezos thanked Mr. Ryan for his service in a separate note to employees, saying he led the newspaper through a period of “innovation, journalistic excellence and growth.” He will remain publisher for the next two months.
Persons:
Fred Ryan, Jeff Bezos, Ryan, Ronald Reagan, Bezos, Mr
Organizations:
The Washington Post, Amazon, Center, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Locations:
“