The publisher of the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell said Tuesday he plans to retire in late spring after 40 years working for the newspaper’s parent company.
Tom Kurdy, who spent 21 years at the Inter Lake, also is publisher of the Hungry Horse News, Whitefish Pilot and Bigfork Eagle. He previously managed several other weeklies for the Hagadone Corp., including the Lake County Leader in Polson.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my career in the newspaper business,” Kurdy said. “I’ve met many good people and had many challenges. I am particularly grateful for the opportunities the Hagadone family has given me.”
Kurdy began his career with Hagadone as an accountant and auditor at the company’s headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. But more than half of his career was spent at the Inter Lake, beginning with a stint as business manager from 1976 to 1984. He later served as publisher in Kalispell from January 1991 to April 1994, and again was named publisher in October 2000.
Brad Hagadone, president of the Hagadone Communications Division, said the company would conduct an in-depth, national search for a new publisher.
“Tom has had a stellar career with our company, exceeding our expectations and goals at every newspaper plant that he ran,” he said. “Needless to say, Tom will leave big shoes to fill.”