Those of you who pick up the print version of Seattle Weekly will notice something new in the paper this week. There, on page three, at the very bottom of the masthead, below the title “Publisher” is a new name: Bob Baranski.

As the Seattle Weekly staff learned on Monday morning, Baranski has taken the reins of the publication, and will lead the staff as it prepares to head into its fifth decade.

“Politics, arts, culture and music have always been an important part of my life,” Baranski told me after learning how to work the coffeemaker. “Seattle obviously has a lot of that, and the chance to work here, where this talented staff grapples with those things every day? I couldn’t imagine a better job. And I’m excited to start helping Seattle Weekly become an even stronger voice in the market.”

Baranski is a media veteran with experience in print and digital publications, as well as television and radio. He most recently worked as the Vice President of Sales and Associate Publisher at the San Diego Business Journal.

It has been 15 years since Baranski and his family first lived in Seattle, where he worked with AM/FM, Inc. Though work took him out of the area for years, he and his wife promised themselves they would someday return. Last year they made good on that promise, moving back to the area to be closer to their daughter, who is attending the University of Washington. Baranski is still familiarizing himself with the staff and the supplies closet, but will soon begin drafting his plans for the next chapter in the history of Seattle Weekly.

“It’s a little early to be specific about any plans I have for the publication,” Baranski said after a thorough orientation of the photocopier. “There is so much history here that must be celebrated, and learned from. But we also need to recognize that Seattle is in a state of transition right now, and that there is a lot of opportunity in looking forward while being aware of what came before.”