Vidovich and Berger take VP posts at PNI

By Gloria Campisi

Philadelphia Newspapers Inc., publisher of the Daily News and Inquirer, appointed two new vice presidents.

Dave Vidovich, director of Labor Relations, will become Vice President of Human Resources, and Jeff Berger, acting vice president of Systems Information Technology, was named to that job on a permanent basis, said Astrid Garcia, senior vice president of human resources, labor and operations.

Rob Barron, vice president of Labor Relations, said Vidovich, 39, had done a "spectacular job in his role as director of labor relations. We had high expectations when we hired him. He certainly surpassed all of them and will make an outstanding HR VP."

In the same promotions, Barron's responsibilities were expanded.

With the departure of general counsel Katherine Hatton, Barron, who formerly worked as a labor and employment attorney, will assume responsibility for all labor, EEO, employment and general business legal matters.

Vidovich, originally from the Cleveland area, is the father of twin girls.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to get involved in human resources again, especially at PNI," he said.

Vidovich came to PNI in 2001 from Vlasic Foods International, where he was director of human resources.

He previously worked for HJ Heinz and other companies in the labor relations area.

Berger, 42, a New Jersey native and father of two, started his career at PNI in 1985, in the finance division.

He worked in circulation for a number of years, primarily as a systems manager.

He moved to Systems Information Technology in 2001 as director of applications.

"This is an exciting and challenging time" for the Daily News, Inquirer and Broad Street Community Newspapers, also published by PNI, said Berger.

"The Technology Division will play a key role in helping us to be successful and achieve our goals.

"The future at PNI is filled with opportunities to improve service to our readers and advertisers," he said.