Richard Connor, former publisher and editor of MaineToday Media, has been named chief executive officer of the Foster’s Daily Democrat, a daily newspaper based in Dover, N.H.

That paper’s president and publisher, Patrice D. Foster, made the announcement today.

“The Foster family feels very fortunate to bring someone of Rich’s caliber to our company,” she said in a statement. “Rich has more than 40 years of media experience working in all types of competitive markets and appreciates the challenges and opportunities of family-owned newspapers. We feel he is uniquely qualified to lead this company during turbulent times.”

Connor, a Bangor native who now lives in Falmouth, stepped down from MaineToday Media last year. MaineToday Media owns and operates The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, the Kennebec Journal in Augusta, the Morning Sentinel in Waterville and the Coastal Journal in Bath, as well as digital properties including mainetoday.com, Maine Jobs and Raising Maine.

Connor led an investment group in 2009 that purchased MaineToday Media but left the company after undisclosed conflicts with the board of directors. MTM is now owned primarily by S. Donald Sussman.

“I am pleased to join the renowned team serving southern New Hampshire with some of the highest quality media and journalism products in the region,” Connor told the Foster’s Daily Newspaper. “I look forward to hearing from the staff, readers and advertisers about what we can do to continue to make these news products the best they can be.”

The Foster’s Daily Democrat was founded 140 years ago and is one of the few remaining independent, family-owned newspapers in the country. It serves southern and eastern New Hampshire.