Othello newspaperman named Columbia Basin Herald publisher

MOSES LAKE - Eric LaFontaine, of Moses Lake, was named publisher of the Columbia Basin Herald Friday.

LaFontaine, 40, begins work Nov. 10. He currently works as publisher of the weekly Othello Outlook newspaper, a position he's held for nearly eight years.

Herald interim publisher Kent Eymann will remain in Moses Lake for the next three weeks during the transition.

LaFontaine's naming as publisher comes after an extensive search to find the best candidate, using a nationally well-known recruiting firm, explains Hagadone Corporation President Brad Hagadone.

The search committee selected LaFontaine, a familiar face with local connections who resides in the newspaper's hometown.

"Eric is a very dynamic individual, who has a major passion for our industry and the desire to make his hometown newspaper the very best it can be," Hagadone said. "He has very strong work ethics, leads by example and has the skill set to develop a very strong, overall team working environment."

LaFontaine said his goals include supporting his staff and make sure they have everything they need to be successful.

"I'm extremely grateful to Brad, Kent and the Hagadone Corporation for this opportunity and without the hard work and dedication of the Herald staff, this opportunity wouldn't even exist," LaFontaine said. "I'm very humbled and excited for what the future holds for the paper."

LaFontaine has a bachelor of science degree in political science and government from the University of Washington and a master's of business administration degree from Regis University. He was a journalist in the Navy Reserves and raised in Richland.

LaFontaine serves as editorial committee chair for the Washington Newspaper Publisher's Association.

LaFontaine and his wife, Ali LaFontaine, have four children together. One child has recently graduated high school and their remaining three children attend Moses Lake public schools.