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Lance Hanlin, currently an assistant sports editor, will replace Kidd as sports editor for the newspapers.
In his new role, Kidd will direct day-to-day news coverage for the Gazette and continue to have oversight of both papers' sports coverage.
"Now I have a chance to combine the profession I love with the town I love,"Kidd said.
Kidd's promotion follows changes in newsroom leadership at the Gazette, including the impending retirement of Jim Cato, who for 28 years has served in top editing roles at the paper. Cato joined the Gazette in 1980 as editor, later served as publisher, and since 2005 has been Opinion page editor.
"We're fortunate to have someone with Jeff Kidd's talent ready to step up," said Sara Johnson Borton, publisher of the Packet and Gazette.
A 16-year resident of Beaufort, Kidd worked at the Gazette from 1992 to 2000, first as a sports reporter and then as sports editor, before becoming the Packet's sports editor. Under his leadership, the newspapers' sports departments won numerous state and national journalism awards.
Cato, for decades one of Beaufort's most recognizable faces, will retire Sept. 12.
"I don't know exactly what I will do in retirement," said Cato, 63. "I am reminded of an old saying: 'If you want to give God a good laugh, tell Him what your plans are.'"
Hanlin, the new sports editor, previously has held the same position at papers in Sikeston, Mo.; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and the Gazette. He also was a copy editor at the Southern Illinoisan newspaper in Carbondale, Ill.
In other changes:
• Steve Blust, 54, executive editor of the Gazette, will leave the paper on Nov. 7. Blust plans to return to the West to be nearer to his adult children, who live in California.
• Fitz McAden, 59, executive editor of the Packet, will become executive editor of both papers. In that role, he will have overall responsibility for news gathering at the Packet and Gazette.
