Q: Why did you join DTD in the first place?
A: I joined the Delts because a number of my closer friends were being rushed by them and the active members were a diverse group and generally good guys.
Q: What’s your favorite memory from your time in the chapter?
A: I have so many that singling out one is tough to do. Many of them involve parties at the Delt Lodge with Katherine Thornwell Stautberg ’87, to whom I’ve been married since 1989.
Q: Do you still keep in touch with any of your brothers?
A: Yes, I get back to Kenyon for reunions and Homecoming and see a lot of brothers on those occasions. Facebook also helps stay connected. In fact, a post on Facebook this summer alerted me that classmate and Delt brother Bill Taylor ’85 and his wife Jennifer Luce Taylor ‘85 were in Vancouver. My wife and I were close by and we met them for dinner. More recently, Katherine and I stayed with Rennie Worsfold ’86 and his wife, Willa Devoti Worsfold ’88, during a trip to Boston.
Q: Tell us about the company you led.
A: In April of 2015, the newspaper division of The E.W. Scripps Company was spun off and merged with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, creating a new public company called Journal Media Group. After 25 years with Scripps, I left to become President and CEO of this new company, which was headquartered in Milwaukee. Journal Media Group operated daily newspapers in 14 markets around the country and within a few months we had two parties interested in acquiring our company. In October we announced a deal to be acquired by publicly traded newspaper publisher Gannett and completed the sale in April of this year. I left the company after the sale and am currently exploring other opportunities.
(L-R) Chris Stautberg, Matt Stautberg, Beth Stautberg, Tim Stautberg and Peter Stautberg in 2013 |
Q: How did your time in DTD help to prepare you for that role?
A: I was fortunate to have several leadership roles as a Delt, including President, and learned early on the importance of listening and building consensus.
Q: What have you been up to since graduation?
A: I worked for Chicago-based Harris Trust and Savings Bank for five years and completed an MBA while working full time. I joined The E.W. Scripps Company in 1990 and held a variety of roles with them during the course of a 25-year career, including Chief Financial Officer and SVP. My wife, Katherine, and I have been living in Cincinnati since 1999 and we have four sons. We’re on the back nine, with only one still at home.
Q: What would you say is your biggest accomplishment?
A: Finding the love of my life at Kenyon College and convincing her to marry me.
Q: What advice would you give to future generations of DTD members?
A: Get involved in the leadership of Chi Chapter and find ways to serve others while at Kenyon. The relationships that you build during your four years at Kenyon will reward you beyond measure and last for a lifetime.