Robert “Rosey” Rosenthal, who stepped down as managing editor of the Chronicle in May just as layoffs began, was named today executive director of the Center for Investigative Reporting in Berkeley. The nonprofit has produced hundreds of investigations for print, television, radio and Web since it opened in 1977.

“We conducted an extensive, nationwide search and Rosey delivered on all fronts — a great reporter, unquestioned integrity and strong management experience,” said CIR Board President Tom Goldstein in a press release. “He’s the perfect choice to lead CIR as it enters its fourth decade of hard-hitting, investigative reporting,” he added. Rosenthal was the No. 2 editor at the Chronicle for five years. Before that he was at the Philadelphia Inquirer for 22 years.