Sun-Times Media Group hires new svp of finance

Barker, 48, begins the job Monday, and also will become chief financial officer once the company completes its 2006 audit. He replaces Greg Stoklosa, 50, who resigned to pursue other opportunities, the company said.

He will report to Chief Executive Cyrus Freidheim Jr., who took the top job three months ago at Sun-Times Media Group, formerly Hollinger International Inc.

Barker has spent much of his career with PepsiCo Inc. and its subsidiary, Quaker Oats, serving most recently as vice president of finance and strategy for the Gatorade business.

"Cyrus Freidheim and his management team are well on the way to rebuilding the company with topflight management and a strategy that can succeed in today's ever more complex media landscape,'' he said.

Freidheim said Nov. 15 when he was named CEO that he intended to cut costs and move quickly on key decisions involving the Sun-Times News Group newspapers. The papers, including the flagship Chicago Sun-Times, have been struggling, along with others in the industry.

Hollinger Inc., the controlling shareholder of Sun-Times Media, said in a filing earlier this week that it is considering changes to its own board of directors and expects to evaluate alternatives to enhance shareholder value.

Shares in the company closed Friday at $4.31, down 7 cents or 1.6 percent.

AP