Former Gannett leader dies in Phoenix

PHOENIX – Sue Clark-Johnson, a former Arizona Republic publisher who later served as the top news executive for Gannett, the parent company for The Spectrum & Daily News, has died at age 67.

Former Republic Editor Ward Bushee, who worked with Clark-Johnson in Phoenix and at the Reno Gazette-Journal, described her as a small-town editor in the sense that she believed newspapers, even large ones, needed to stay in close touch with the people they served.

"Journalism was her first love, and she was damn good at it," said Bushee, who later took a similar position at the San Francisco Chronicle. "She exuded that magic potion that makes a newsroom hum — leadership, passion and fearlessness. And boy, could she could write — her speeches spoke to the heart, inspired action and could bring people to tears."

Clark-Johnson maintained a fondness for the desert southwest and was one of the driving forces behind Gannett's purchase of The Spectrum and its family of products in 2000.

The Spectrum attempted to contact former publisher Brent Low, who was part of the team effecting the sale to Gannett, for comment but Low was unavailable Wednesday.

Clark-Johnson served on the board of one of Arizona's largest corporations, Pinnacle West Capital, parent of utility Arizona Public Service.

Bill Post, the company's former chairman and CEO, said she brought energy, focus and a wide perspective to board meetings.

"She not only is a talented manager of very complex and far-flung operations, but she is a gifted strategist and visionary," Craig Dubow, Gannett's former president and CEO, said at the time of her Gannett promotion. "Sue is an ideal executive to help lead Gannett into our new digital information age."

Before that, she served as The Republic's publisher, as well as chairwoman and chief executive officer of Phoenix Newspapers Inc., after Gannett purchased the company in 2000. While in the Phoenix position, she also served as senior president of Gannett's Pacific Newspaper Group, overseeing 32 companies, including several newspapers such as The Spectrum.

Barbara Ralston, former CEO of nonprofit Fresh Start and now the executive director of Homeward Bound, once called Clark-Johnson a perfect example of leadership. "She's so full of energy, gets things done and motivates others at the same time," Ralston said.

Jeffrey Trent, TGen's president and scientific director, described her as a "strategic voice of reason" and a "consummate multi-tasker" who provided concise feedback.

When Clark-Johnson received the Torch of Liberty award from the local Anti-Defamation League in 2003, she was saluted by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, Arizona Sens. Jon Kyl and John McCain, four congressmen and others.

She retired from Gannett in 2008.

"I've been with the Gannett Co. for over 40 years, and I've had a great run," she said at the time. "I've worked with some great people. I've been able to do almost everything you can do in this industry, and I've had a very good time doing it."

Clark-Johnson has been recognized by numerous organizations, including a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Female Executives.

She was awarded the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for diversity efforts from the National Association of Minority Media Executives.