Publisher of The Enterprise leaves to work at Shoreline Community College

Published 10:48 pm Thursday, March 13, 2008

Jim Hills, publisher of The Enterprise chain of weekly newspapers in south Snohomish County, has left the papers that he nurtured for years to become communications director at Shoreline Community College.

Hills, a Shoreline alumnus, worked as an editor at The Herald for many years before joining The Enterprise. Both newspaper groups are owned by the Washington Post. Hills worked at the Enterprise for 13 years, ultimately earning the title of publisher.

Noting he loved The Enterprise in particular and journalism in general, Hills praised his colleagues and his friends in the community.

“I’m looking forward to working at the college, but that doesn’t mean I’m happy about leaving the newspaper,” he said in his final column at the The Enterprise. “If this were an ice cream cone, I get two scoops, chocolate and vanilla and have it all.”

Why is he leaving?

Because of a passion for public education, Hills said.

“I’ve been offered a chance to help tell that story at Shoreline Community College and I decided to take them up on that offer,” he said.

Allen Funk, Herald publisher, praised Hills for his work earlier this week in announcing Hills’ decision.

No decision has been made on a replacement.