Josiah P. Rowe III announced today his retirement as publisher of The Free Lance-Star Publishing Company, after more than 60 years as a force in Virginia newspapers and broadcasting. He will be succeeded by Nicholas J. Cadwallender, who has been serving as associate publisher.

Rowe will retire from the company at the end of the year. Cadwallender will assume the role of publisher immediately, with Rowe as publisher emeritus.

Under Rowe’s guidance, The Free Lance-Star has gained national recognition as one of the country’s best small-town newspapers and as a leader in technical innovation.

Rowe has overseen the company’s recent diversification, with the establishment of Print Innovators, a new, state-of-the-art commercial printing facility. With the official opening of that facility in September, Rowe said the timing was right for him to move on. “I’ve overseen the installation of three new presses in my career,” said Rowe. “Now that Print Innovators is up and running, it’s the right time to turn the operations over to the next generation.”

Cadwallender, who is married to Jeanette Rowe Cadwallender, said that, though the media business is going through a turbulent time, he is excited by the challenges and proud of the company’s traditions. “We recognize that new ways to distribute information through mobile devices and other digital means will play an important role in the future of newspapers and radio stations. What will not change is our commitment to good journalism. We will strive to continue to be the trusted news source in this community.”

Rowe’s retirement will end a career that began in 1936, when Rowe helped his brother, Charles, deliver The Free Lance-Star. In 1949, after the death of their father, the brothers became co-publishers. Josiah Rowe has served as the sole publisher and president since 1998.

With Rowe at the helm over the past six decades, the newspaper’s circulation grew from 6,437 to more than 50,000. The company’s radio holdings also grew after the founding in 1960 of 93.3 WFLS, the longtime ratings leader in the area. The company’s Star Radio Group now includes 99.3 The Vibe, Classic Rock 96.9 and The Game 1350 AM. The latest addition to the company, Print Innovators, offers newspaper and commercial printing services for clients within a 600-mile radius.