He replaces former publisher William T. Murray, now the publisher of the Trentonian in Trenton, N.J.

Roszczyk, formerly of Youngstown, Ohio, said he is looking forward to improving on what is already a strong newspaper.

"I just want to give our readers the best possible paper we can give them," Roszczyk said.

Journal Register Company Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Robert M. Jelenic said Roszczyk arrives in Norristown with 30 years of experience working in the newspaper publishing industry.

Most recently, Roszczyk spent four years as vice president and division manager of the Great Lakes Division of Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., overseeing 13 daily and Sunday newspapers in Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

He has also worked in various positions for Thompson Newspapers. He was publisher of The Altoona Mirror from 1997 to 1998, group publisher for Pennsylvania and Ohio from 1994 to 1997 and publisher of the Tribune Chronicle in Warren, Ohio, from 1989 to 1997.

Prior to that, Roszczyk was the advertising director for the Tribune Chronicle as well as several Gannett publications.

Roszczyk had been active as a member of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Government Affairs Committee as well as the Newspaper Association of America/Audit Bureau of Circulations Liaison Committee.

He has been married for 28 years and has a son who recently graduated from the University of Akron Law School. Relocating to the area, Roszczyk said he sees Norristown as a place with a high potential for growth in the next decade, both economically and in population.

With his experience rooted in community news, Roszczyk said such newspapers can truly aid the community in ways television and radio cannot.

"I believe our role is to inform the public and allow them to make their own decisions," the publisher said.