Cannon named Times publisher

By Staff
From staff reports
Jason Cannon has been named editor and publisher of The Franklin County Times and ClassifiedsPLUS and president of Franklin County Newspapers, Inc. He succeeds Stanley Allison.
Allison ceased his leadership of The Times a year ago to undergo kidney transplant surgery and continues to focus on his recovery.
"We remain squarely in Stanley's corner as he puts his time and energy toward getting well," said Bill Beckner, senior vice president of Boone Newspapers, Inc., owner of The Times. "He remains a friend and a part of our organization."
Jason Houston, who served as acting publisher and managing editor of The Times for the past year, is leaving to pursue other opportunities.
Cannon comes to The Times after three years as managing editor of The Clanton Advertiser. Both The Times and The Advertiser are part of the Boone organization. A 2003 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in journalism, Cannon said he's excited by the opportunities in Franklin County.
"I look forward to working with The Times staff to publish a newspaper that is a partner in building a stronger community and an ally in the development of Russellville and Franklin County."
A native of Birmingham, Cannon began his career as a sports writer for a weekly newspaper in Leeds. A year later he joined The Clanton Advertiser.
For the next two weeks Cannon will work from Clanton and Russellville as he makes arrangements to move his family. He will begin full time in Russellville Sept. 22.
"I look forward to joining the excellent group of people at The Times," Cannon said. "And I am anxious to begin meeting the fine people of Russellville and Franklin County."
Cannon and his wife Tiffany have a 2-year-old daughter, Lizzie. Tiffany will join The Times' staff as advertising manger.