Montgomery Communications sold to Gazette

John G. Montgomery, upon being named to the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame.

From the Junction City Daily Union

Two historic Kansas newspaper families have announced a change in ownership of the Junction City Daily Union, Abilene Reflector-Chronicle, and Wamego Smoke Signal.

Chris Walker and the White Corporation, owner of the Emporia Gazette, assumed ownership of the publications effective March 1. While John Montgomery, president of Montgomery Communications, will be retiring from day-to-day operational responsibility, he will continue to maintain an office at the Daily Union, assist in the transition, and remain involved in an advisory capacity.

"I am very happy to pass the baton to another well-respected Kansas newspaper family, one which has a great heritage and which I am confident will produce quality and intensely local journalism, and serve the communities of this area well," Montgomery said. "I am also excited about the future of my newspapers because the Gazette leverages some of the newest publishing technology in the industry."

"My wife, Judy, and I will continue to reside in Junction City, contribute to a smooth transition from one Kansas family to another, and contribute what we can to our wonderful community."

Montgomery is the fourth generation of his family to be in the newspaper business in Kansas, having returned to Junction City in 1973 to take over as publisher of The Daily Union from his father. During his tenure, he acquired the Smoke Signal and Reflector-Chronicle.

Walker is the great grandson of famed, Pulitzer Prize-winning Emporia editor William Allen White, who purchased the Gazette in 1895.

"John has been an incredible leader in the newspaper industry in Kansas," Walker said. "Our thoughts on the industry, what is local news and the role of a newspaper in the community all line up closely.

"Working together to create the best products for Junction City and Fort Riley for generations to come is our goal." Walker said. "While we will be publishing the papers, I'm pleased that John will continue to work in the community and remain involved at Fort Riley."

All three newspapers will continue to operate from their current locations in Abilene, Junction City and Wamego. Besides the Gazette, the Walker family also publishes the weekly Chase County Leader News, St. Marys Star and Westmoreland Recorder in Kansas, the Left Hand Valley Courier in Boulder County, Colorado, plus several annual magazine publications.

Chris and his wife, Ashley, both grew up in Emporia, where Chris started working at the paper while growing up as a newspaper carrier and then in the composing department building pages. He received a journalism degree from the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism. He and Ashley have been running the Gazette for more than 20 years. They have three children – Grace, a freshman in high school; Hattie, a seventh-grader; and William White Walker, a third-grader.

Chris and Ashley Walker talk with former Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker at an event in Topeka.