After a year at the helm of the Turlock Journal, Hank Vander Veen was named group publisher of Morris Newspapers of Northern California. The MNC group includes the Journal, Ceres Courier, Oakdale Leader, Escalon Times, Riverbank News, Manteca Bulletin and Ripon Bulletin.

"We are very excited for Hank in his new position as group publisher. He has exhibited leadership and vision as publisher of Turlock, and we look forward to great things to come from the group," said Charles Hill Morris, Jr. of Morris Multimedia.

Since coming to the Journal, and MNC group, Vander Veen has made community partnerships a priority. He has sought to further engage readers in their hometown newspapers, while promoting local business and industry.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to lead the efforts of our Morris Multimedia print publications and web products in Central California.  We will continue to focus on local news in each of our distinct  publications while offering a joint regional approach for extended market presence for our advertising partners," Vander Veen said.

Vander Veen will continue to work out of the joint Turlock Journal and Ceres Courier office, located at 138 S. Center St., in Turlock. He can be reached at hvanderveen@turlockjournal.com or by calling 634-9141.

Also in the MNC group, Jennifer Marek will be leaving as publisher of the weekly Oakdale Leader to become publisher of the daily Manteca Bulletin. A search is currently underway to find a new publisher for Oakdale.