WEST COVINA -- Ron L. Wood, publisher of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, is leaving the role after eight years to be president and CEO of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership.

Wood, 56, said Tuesday his last day as publisher will be Jan. 1, and he will start at the partnership the following day.

"I leave the news group in very good economic condition," Wood said in a morning meeting with SGVN staff members. "Much has been said about the troubles newspapers have today ... but I can assure all of you that this one is in very good shape, indeed."

The Sierra Madre resident said he's eager to meet the challenges his new job will bring.

"I have been associated with the partnership as a member, general board member and on the executive board over the past eight years, so to now become the president and CEO is very exciting to me," he said. "I was ready for a new challenge when this opportunity presented itself, and I intend to give it my all."

Wood has been the architect of SGVN's emergence as the leading source of news and information both in print and online for the more than 40 cities comprising the San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena, Whittier and surrounding cities.

As publisher, Wood has been a leader in civic, business and public higher education efforts. He also holds an MBA from the University of La Verne.

Fran Inman, who heads the partnership's board and is senior vice president of Majestic Realty Co., said Wood will be a welcome addition in his new role.

"Ron's experience as a business and civic leader in the San Gabriel Valley is immeasurable," Inman said. "He is the ideal choice to head our partnership as we continue our work in preserving and enhancing the economic vitality of our region."

Wood began his tenure at the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group 14 years ago and has served as publisher for the past eight years. SGVN publishes the Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Whittier Daily News.

SGVN Executive Editor Steve O'Sullivan said Wood's business and civic leadership make him the ideal choice for regional economic leadership at the helm of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership.

"Ron is one of the great assets of the San Gabriel Valley civic community, and the partnership is the top institution for matching his skills with the broader needs and opportunities of the region," O'Sullivan said.

Wood said he will miss being at SGVN.

"The hardest part of making this change is leaving my work family here and creating a new one," he said. "But on the upside, we've had a long association with the economic partnership and the newspaper group will continue to work on major projects."

Wood succeeds former partnership President Bill Carney, who left Sept. 15 for an economic development position in the Inland Empire.

The San Gabriel Economic Partnership is a regional coalition of business, local government and educational institutions committed to the successful economic development of the San Gabriel Valley.