Published August 2001

Hanson to retire
from Herald
General Manager Allen Funk named seventh publisher in newspaper’s history

By Mike Benbow
Herald Economy Editor

When fire ravaged the Everett Herald building nearly 45 years ago, a struggling college student named Larry Hanson became a messenger between the old and new offices while he waited for a better job at a local mill.

As things turned out, Hanson never had to leave what is now called The Herald to find that job with higher pay.

After a career in which he ran virtually every newspaper department, Hanson stepped down July 24 from the top spot — President and Publisher — so he could spend a little more time with his grandchildren and perhaps teach college business courses.

“I’ve had the best job I could ever have — publisher of the newspaper in the community where I was born and raised,” said Hanson, an Everett native who became publisher in 1984. “I look forward to coming to work every day, and that’s how I want to go out.”

Hanson, 63, will remain as Publisher Emeritus until Feb. 1, and will be succeeded immediately as publisher by General Manager Allen Funk, 41, who joined The Herald in 1993.

Funk, a resident of Mill Creek, is the seventh publisher of the newspaper, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

A Stanford University graduate, Funk earned his master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University. He said he hoped to use his training “to create a stronger, more flexible and more integrated organization.”

In addition to The Herald, The Daily Herald Co. publishes The Herald Business Journal and five editions of the Enterprise weekly newspapers in Edmonds, Shoreline, Mill Creek, Lynnwood and Lake Forest Park.

Funk, who worked at The Herald’s parent company, The Washington Post Co., before moving here, comes from a newspaper family. His great-grandfather was publisher of the Youngstown, Ohio, Vindicator, and his father and grandfather owned a Santa Monica, Calif., newspaper that was subsequently sold.

“I want people to understand that we’re committed to quality journalism here,” Funk said. “We’ve been doing this about 100 years, being publishers. What’s developed in me is a similar love of newspapers, what they can do and what they mean.”

As Publisher Emeritus, Hanson said he’ll remain available to advise Funk and the editorial board of The Herald. He plans to spend time with his family, including his wife, Raili, who retired earlier this summer, and also teach at the university level. And he plans to continue his community work.

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