Gary Lunsford, an advertising sales trainer and coach for the Northern California Community Newspapers, part of the California Newspapers Partnership of MediaNews Group, has been named as the new advertising director for The Reporter in Vacaville. He begins his new job Monday, replacing Debi Tavey, who served in the position for 12 years, according to a story in The Reporter.

“Debi will be missed and we wish her the best in her endeavors,” said Reporter publisher Gregg McConnell.

“We’re very fortunate to have someone of Gary’s caliber to fill this critical position,” he continued. “These are challenging times for nearly every business sector but particularly challenging for newspapers. The industry is in the process of reinventing its business model to meet the market’s demand of multi-channel solutions for our advertisers.”

Lunsford, 51, who joined MediaNews in 2007 after 17 years in sales and management with McClatchy Newspapers and the Modesto Bee, looks forward to his new job.