ALAMOSA — San Luis Valley Publishing, the parent company of the Valley Courier, has promoted current Managing Editor Brian Williams to be the news organization's next publisher, effective immediately. 

Williams, 55, succeeds Keith Cerny who retired in late August of 2024. 

Williams will be handling the company's day-to-day management of the Valley Courier and also overseeing the company’s six weeklies in the San Luis Valley – the Monte Vista Journal, Del Norte Prospector, South Fork Tines, Center Post-Dispatch, Mineral County Miner, and San Luis Valley Lifestyles. 

“I’m very happy to announce Brian Williams’ new role as publisher of this important group of newspapers” said Blackbird newspaper COO John Elchert.  Blackbird is the owner of the SLV Publishing company.  “Brian has been a key contributor at the papers for us, and I’m excited for him to lead the SLV operation.”  

Williams has more than 25 years of experience, mostly on the editorial side of operations. He has been with the company since 2021 when he was hired to be general manager/editor of the weekly papers. 

“I am grateful for this opportunity,” Williams said. “We have a big challenge ahead of us. The team we have is nimble and focused and ready to grow the business. 

“Growing our audience both online and in print will remain a key priority for us,” he added. 

“Providing excellent local news coverage and marketing opportunities to our communities is our primary mission.  With the excellent staff in place, under Brian’s leadership, I look forward to great things at our Colorado papers,” commented Elchert. 

Williams started his journalism career at his hometown newspaper in Porterville, Calif., covering education and sports, and has worked at newspapers of various sizes in North Carolina, Arizona, and Oregon, before coming to Colorado. 

“I couldn’t be more excited for our future,” Williams said. 

Williams and his wife Roxanna Beutler live in Manassa.