Harte-Hanks Leader Hochhauser to Retire Amid Executive Changes

Dean Blythe, executive vice president and CFO at Harte-Hanks Inc., has been promoted to president, a position previously held by the company’s CEO, Richard Hochhauser. Hochhauser will remain CEO until early 2008, when Blythe will assume that position as well.

Blythe joined Harte-Hanks in 2001 as general counsel and subsequently became CFO in June 2003. Blythe will continue to serve as CFO on an interim basis pending the company’s appointment of a successor to that position.

Hochhauser will serve as a consultant to the company beginning in early 2008 for a three-year period, and will continue as a member of the board of directors until his current term expires at the company’s 2008 annual meeting. Hochhauser has served as CEO since 2002. He joined Harte-Hanks in 1975, has served as a director since 1996.

The company also announced that, effective Aug. 1, Gary Skidmore has been promoted to president of direct marketing, a newly created position. Skidmore will continue to serve as an executive vice president of Harte-Hanks Inc.

Separately, executive vice president Kathy Calta is expected to leave the company in early 2008 to pursue other interests.