Coupeville resident Kasia Pierzga has been named publisher of Whidbey Island’s three community newspapers, The Whidbey News-Times, South Whidbey Record and The Whidbey Examiner.

She also will serve as publisher of the Whidbey Crosswind, a monthly publication that targets Whidbey Island’s many military veterans.

“I am thrilled to have Kasia as publisher of our team,” said Lori Maxim, vice president of West Sound Operations for Sound Publishing, Inc. “We talked with many people in the community and came to the conclusion that Kasia is the right person to lead Whidbey’s community newspapers. Her passion for producing quality newspapers and her connection to the Whidbey Island community made her a great fit.”

Pierzga said she’s excited about the opportunity to build on the success of Whidbey Island’s community newspapers.

“I’m happy to work with such a talented and dedicated staff that turns out award-winning newspapers that have a loyal readership throughout Whidbey Island,” she said.

For the past six years, Pierzga has been editor and owner-publisher of The Whidbey Examiner, an independent newspaper with a 17-year history in Coupeville, the Island County seat. She sold the Examiner to Sound Publishing in June.

Pierzga was hired to fill the publisher position previously held for the past 18 years by Marcia Van Dyke, who accepted a position at The Olympian.

In addition to a background in news reporting and editing, Pierzga also has a background in marketing and public relations, including a stint as the communications director for the Association of Washington Business, Washington’s chamber of commerce.

Originally from Annapolis, Md., Pierzga has lived in Washington since 1992. Her first reporting job was at The Whidbey News-Times from 1992-95, and she returned to Whidbey in 2006 when she purchased the Examiner.

Pierzga said she is proud of the role Whidbey’s newspapers play in the community.

“Newspapers are key to the continued health of our democratic system of government,” she said. “They’re a community forum in which local residents can air their concerns, as well as a powerful driver for the economy and the most effective way for businesses to advertise and build revenue.”

Together, The Whidbey News-Times, South Whidbey Record, The Whidbey Examiner and Whidbey Crosswind reach a combined circulation of 36,262 readers in print, and an additional 91,945 unique visitors via the newspapers’ websites.

Sound Publishing is the largest community newspaper group in the Pacific Northwest, owning and operating 52 publications with a combined circulation over 730,000.