The Minnesota Daily’s Board of Directors elected a new Office of the Publisher on Tuesday.

The office will take over May 31.

The board named Jake Weyer co-publisher and editor in chief, Caitlin Madigan co-publisher for organizational development and communications and Melissa Lappin co-publisher and business operations officer. The three positions manage the different aspects of the newspaper’s daily operations.

Madigan and Lappin’s new positions were formerly called president and business manager, respectively.

Weyer, who ran unopposed, said his biggest concern about his new job is communication between Daily departments.

“Understanding what roles everyone plays in making a newspaper makes everything flow better,” Weyer said.

Outgoing Editor in Chief Shane Hoefer said he knows his replacement will excel.

“Jake has all the tools he’ll need to be successful,” Hoefer said. “I’m confident he’ll do a fantastic job.”

Weyer will have the monumental task of organizing 2004 election coverage, Hoefer said.

Weyer said he plans extensive coverage and might institute a scientific student polling system.

The current members of the Office of the Publisher, who sit on the 13-member board, said it was difficult deciding on the two contested positions. They said they eventually chose entrants based on their job-specific experience and skills.

“I’m excited,” current Daily President Joseph McKenzie said of the elects. “They have a lot of energy, a lot of ideas and a lot on their plate to start with. It’s going to be a good year.”

Madigan and Lappin said they have several challenges before them. Both said they hope to increase circulation and revenue, and want to build on the successes of the last few years.

Lappin said she plans to add promotions and integrate marketing campaigns to increase revenue.

“My overall goal is to retain the Daily’s image, to provide a quality newspaper that will be here for years to come,” she said.

She will replace Business Manager Dan Fordham, who said acclimating to the demands of the job will be the first challenge Lappin faces.

Madigan said one of her goals is to increase alumni involvement with the paper. She also said she wants to improve communication between departments.

“I would like to strengthen ties with alumni so that we can have every resource to do the best job possible,” she said.

Madigan and Lappin began at the Daily as interns in 2003. Weyer started in May as a staff reporter.

Because the Daily has a high turnover rate, the new office will see many new faces throughout the year. Effectively dealing with constant staff changes is a skill officers must have, current co-publishers said.

During the next few weeks, the current leadership will hand the reigns over in small steps until their last day, May 28. Weyer, Lappin and Madigan will have full responsibility May 31.