Crain's Detroit Business Names Ron Fournier Associate Publisher

The announcement was made at a press conference for Detroit Homecoming III, the event designed to re-engage successful Detroit-area expats with the city. Crain's Detroit Business produces Detroit Homecoming on behalf of a wide coalition of civic leaders, foundations and major corporate sponsors.

"I can't think of a better time to announce this great news," said Crain's Publisher Mary Kramer, who is also co-director of Detroit Homecoming. "Ron is the ultimate Detroit Homecoming story. He attended homecoming in 2014, was a panelist in 2015, and we are excited that we could create the opportunity for him to literally 'come home.' You can bet he will be part of Detroit Homecoming III." The annual invitation-only Detroit Homecoming event is Sept. 14-16.

Fournier is coming to Crain's from Atlantic Media, where he served as editor-in-chief of the National Journal for two years and as senior political columnist for both the National Journal and The Atlantic.

"We have a great newsroom team, led by Editor Jennette Smith," Kramer said. "Ron will help our team create even more of an impact. As traditional news media has shrunk in newsroom resources, we think Crain's Detroit Business has an even bigger role to play in Southeast Michigan and the entire state.  Ron will work closely with me to develop long-term revenue, audience and editorial strategies for our brand."

Crain's Detroit Business is one of 56 brands under the Crain Communications umbrella. Crain Communications' Executive Vice President, KC Crain, joined Kramer in making the announcement. "Not only are we happy that Ron is returning to Detroit, but Crain is thrilled to add his experience in taking an entrepreneurial approach to building audience and revenue," said Crain. "But it starts with great journalism, and in this, our company's 100^th anniversary year, we are proud to be planting a flag for even higher-quality journalism in Detroit while we build the company's longer term leadership and succession planning."

Fournier is the author of two books and has won many journalism awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi Award and the White House Correspondents' Association Merriman Smith Memorial Award (a record four times).

He and his wife, Lori, and son, Tyler, will be moving to Detroit in the fall.

"After all these years calling Detroit home, Lori and I are excited to be moving back," Fournier said. "Together with Tyler, we join our daughters, Holly and Gabrielle, who moved to Michigan and closer to our extended families out of college. But, this is not about nostalgia: It is a chance to be part of a great media company that is playing a major role in nudging Detroit's business, political and cultural leaders toward the city's slow but certain revival."

Fournier will continue to write for The Atlantic as a contributor through the 2016 election.

About Crain's Detroit Business

For 26 years, Crain's Detroit Business has served southeast Michigan's business influencers and decision makers with award-winning, must-have news and information that can't be found anywhere else. Industry coverage includes health care, banking/finance, sports, manufacturing, government/public policy, technology, education, real estate, law, entrepreneurship, advertising/marketing, defense, services, retail, food, hospitality/tourism, life sciences, energy, and transportation. 

About Crain Communications

Crain Communications is a privately held media company that produces trusted and relevant news publications, lead generation, research and data products, digital platforms, custom publishing, and events with uncompromising integrity. Reaching 6 million business decision-makers and consumers across the United States and in select markets in Europe and Asia, the company's 56 brand portfolio consists of 22 print publications and 34 digital-only news sites. Many of Crain's brands are the most influential media properties in the verticals they serve including Automotive News, Autoweek, Advertising Age, Modern Healthcare, Plastics News, and Pensions & Investments. Headquartered in Detroit, the company has 900 employees in 13 locations delivering exceptional news content over a variety of platforms to empower the success of its readers and clients.

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