Three former Knight Ridder executives have launched a consulting firm to help companies with management assessment and training, strategic planning, succession management, and workplace diversity, according to Editor & Publisher Online. Larry Olmstead (left), who was in charge of recruiting, training, and leadership development at Knight Ridder until last June, is president and executive consultant of Leading Edge Associates of San Jose. He is joined by former Merc executive editor and KR news VP Jerry Ceppos (right) and Marty Claus (photo unavailable), also a retired VP of news at Knight Ridder. Ceppos and Claus are consultant associates. Rafael Gonzalez, an organizational consultant and executive coach, Rebecca Kuiken, an ordained minister who is current moderator of the San Jose Presbytery, and Robyn Fernandez Parmley, a former training coordinator and human resource analyst for Knight Ridder, are serving as managers of administration at LEA, according to E&P.