Butch Hughes

The Anderson Independent-Mail soon will be under new leadership.

Publisher Fred Foster will hand over control of the newspaper’s daily operations to president and general manager Frank "Butch" Hughes, Mr. Foster told employees Monday.

Mr. Hughes will become publisher, assuming Mr. Foster’s daily responsibilities. Mr. Foster accepted a new role as publisher emeritus, effective Jan. 1.

Mr. Foster will continue serving as the newspaper’s representative on several community boards and will act as a consultant for the management team.

"He is the right guy at the right time for this paper and the community," Mr. Foster told employees. "I feel good about this, so don’t be concerned."

Mr. Hughes came to the Anderson Independent-Mail in July from the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, where he was the general manager.

He said the newspaper would continue providing the news and advertising content readers’ request.

Some content will come in the traditional newspaper, while other information might be part of niche publications, such as "Be," a weekly entertainment guide introduced in November, and Clemson University special sections commemorating the West End Zone completion and the 1981 national championship.

"People will see more of that," Mr. Hughes said.

The two men are like-minded employee advocates, which makes for a smooth transition, said Becky Morlock, vice president for human resources.

"Butch really wanted to come here and succeed someone he respected so much," Mrs. Morlock said.

Mr. Foster has a heartfelt love for the community and was a joy to work for, she said.

Mr. Foster said he plans to remain in Anderson, where he’s been an active member of the community since taking the publisher’s job in 1991.

He was honored by South Carolina’s governor in 1999 for "spark-plugging" county economic growth, won the Rotary Club community service award in 2000, was South Carolina distinguished hospital trustee in 2001 and chaired the Anderson Chamber of Commerce in 2002.

Mr. Foster also served on the Anderson delegation that brought it the All-America City Award in 2000. He was awarded the inaugural Communitarian Award from Partners for a Health Community in 2004.

"I’m excited for Fred and excited for Butch," said Susan Campbell, who’s worked as administrative assistant for the past five publishers.