Leader Publications has a new publisher, and his goal for the first few weeks is simple — get out in the community and listen.

Michael Bennett, whose first day as publisher was Monday, said in an interview Tuesday he has been busy talking with employees, business owners and community members.

“I’m looking for as much feedback as possible from employees, from readers and advertisers of what they would like to see,” Bennett said. “As a publisher, I have an open door policy.”

Bennett, who was born and raised near Philadelphia and graduated from West Virginia with a degree in journalism, most recently worked as CEO of Iwanna Inc., a classifieds publication in Asheville, N.C.

He has worked as advertising director and publisher for several publications, including 14 years at Swift Communications in Colorado. His experience in the newspaper industry spans 37 years.

He fondly remembers as a child going to work with his father, who was in newspaper advertising.

“He really helped me understand the importance of how you treat people and how you interact with people,” Bennett said.

Part of what drew him to Leader Publications was his desire to return to a traditional community newspaper.

“I was at Iwanna for two years. It was my first time away from the pure newspaper business. I really did miss community journalism. I like that involvement with the community,” Bennett said.

Bennett, who lives in Dowagiac, sees potential for growth in the organization, which serves southwest lower Michigan with publications including the Niles Daily Star, Dowagiac Daily News, Cassopolis Vigilant, Edwardsburg Argus and Off the Water.

“I saw all kinds of opportunities for improvement. I enjoy change and challenges,” he said. “This all seems to be right in my wheelhouse.”

Bennett describes himself as a hard worker and innovator and hopes to improve the organization’s ability to deliver information to readers.

“We have the challenge of the economy but also the challenge of the variety of ways people want to get their information,” he said. “We need to provide information in all vehicles that people want to see it.”

More than anything, Bennett hopes to benefit the community in his new position.

“As a newspaper, we really have to play a role in understanding the needs of the community and helping the community reach their goals,” he said.

Bennett can be reached at michael.bennett@leaderpub.com.