MARYSVILLE — Paul Brown, who has been publisher of The Marysville Globe-The Arlington Times for 4 1/2 years, is being promoted to another position with the Kirkland Reporter.

Assuming his duties here will be Managing Editor Steve Powell, working in conjunction with Ad Sales Manager Jody Knoblich and administrative staff with Sound Publishing, which owns these two newspapers and many others in the state.

In a meeting at The Globe office in Marysville, Josh O’Connor, vice president of East Sound Operations, described to the staff what Brown has meant to the company.

O’Connor recalled when The Globe and The Times were first purchased in 2007 from Sun News Publications and its publisher, Kris Passey.

“These papers have always been greatly revered throughout the community,” O’Connor said.

“Even during the recession, as we cycled through different ways of doing business, there was a lot of hard work being done here.”

In O’Connor’s view, all that was needed was the proper leadership to guide the two papers, and in February of 2011, Brown brought the skills he’d honed on publications such as the Little Nickel to his role as publisher of The Globe and The Times.

“I’ve always had a tremendous respect for Paul, and I still do,” O’Connor said. “He’s done amazing work here, and really set these papers up for success. He’s well-respected throughout the community, and he knows how to run a business well.”

Those skills made him Sound Publishing’s choice to provide that same level of leadership for the Kirkland Reporter. “You always hope you get noticed for doing a good job, and in Paul’s case, he got promoted for it,” O’Connor said.

While the Kirkland community will benefit from Brown’s professionalism, O’Connor acknowledged that Brown has made himself a valuable member of his adopted hometowns here in Snohomish County.

Brown has been very active attending chamber of commerce meetings in both Arlington and Marysville.

But his claim to fame has been with the Marysville Strawberry Festival. He worked his way all the way up to president this year and plans to continue to volunteer with the group.

“Those who live in Marysville and Arlington have seen him in action every day,” O’Connor said. “Even as he leaves, what makes me optimistic is that he’s leaving a good team in place here.

“Every Saturday, this staff puts out newspapers that hold the community accountable, while providing it with a civic voice, and great advertising outlets for our merchants.”

O’Connor expects few changes in the papers’ day-to-day operations, but Powell is gearing up to take a more visible role in interacting with the community in Brown’s absence.

Powell is already well-known to the community, since he doubles as a news reporter and photographer out in the field, in addition to his duties as editor.

“I’ll miss Paul. He’s been a calming influence in the often-hectic world of deadlines and journalism,” Powell said.

“But I look forward to new challenges. Frankly, that is what life is all about.”