NATCHEZ — Natchez native Jan Griffey is returning to Natchez Newspapers Inc. as its general manager.

Natchez Newspapers publishes The Natchez Democrat, NatchezDemocrat.com and Natchez The Magazine.

Kevin Cooper has been publisher and vice president of Natchez Newspapers Inc., and has accepted a new role within the newspaper’s parent company, Boone Newspapers Inc.

Cooper has been named senior vice president of digital and special projects. He will continue to work from Natchez.

Todd H. Carpenter in addition to his position of CEO of Boone Newspapers is also president of Natchez Newspapers.  He continues to live in Natchez.

Griffey comes to The Democrat from Vicksburg, where she has worked since August 2015 first as editor, then as general manager of The Vicksburg Post for the last three years.

“I am so excited about returning to Natchez and work at The Democrat,” Griffey said. “I love Natchez, have always wanted to come home. And the fact that I get to do so while leading The Democrat is a lifelong dream come true.”

Cooper said he is excited by the new opportunities and is happy Griffey agreed to assume responsibility for the more than 150-year-old newspaper.

“I look forward to helping our company’s newspapers — especially The Democrat — grow our audiences and help business customers use digital products to grow their businesses,” Cooper said. “This newspaper, its hard-working staff and our exceptionally loyal, caring and engaged readers will always be special to me. I’m thrilled that I’m able to pass the reins to someone as skilled, knowledgeable and caring as Jan Griffey. The Democrat will be in good hands with someone who knows Natchez well.”

“I could not be more pleased for Jan, Kevin, our newspaper and community.” Carpenter said. “We have all benefited from Kevin’s intensely engaged journalistic leadership over the years and we will continue to benefit as Jan assumes a similar role and responsibility. Both Kevin and Jan are exceptionally well prepared for the roles they are assuming and will do an excellent job. I look forward to working with them as we move forward,” Carpenter said.

Cooper, a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, has been publisher of The Democrat since 2006. He first came to the Natchez newspaper in 1993 as a staff photographer shortly after graduating with a journalism degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He later worked as the newspaper’s creative director, managing editor and editor before moving to Ohio in 2002 to become publisher of the Boone-owned Ironton Tribune.

Griffey is a 34-year veteran of Boone Newspapers. A 1980 graduate of South Natchez-Adams High School and a 1984 graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana, Griffey began her newspaper career at The Democrat as a summer intern in 1981. Three days after graduating college, she went to work full time for Boone Newspapers at its newspaper in Ironton, Ohio.

Later, she worked for the company in various roles in Niles, Michigan, Columbiana, Alabama, returning to Natchez in June 2014 as editor and associate publisher for a year before her move to The Vicksburg Post.

Griffey is transitioning now to work in Natchez, expects to be fully at work during June.