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

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

“The Foster family feels very fortunate to bring someone of Rich’s caliber to our company,” she said in a prepared 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 last year from MaineToday Media, which 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 was part of the investment group that purchased the media properties in 2009. He left the company after undisclosed conflicts with the board of directors. MaineToday Media 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 Foster’s Daily Democrat. “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.”

Foster’s Daily Democrat, founded 140 years ago, is one of the few independent, family-owned newspapers remaining in the country. It has paid circulation of about 18,000 in southern New Hampshire.

Connor is involved in a federal lawsuit involving another former employer, The Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

That newspaper’s owners have sued Connor, claiming he failed to repay more than $250,000 that the company loaned him while he was publisher and CEO.

Staff Writer Eric Russell can be contacted at 791-6344 or at:

erussell@mainetoday.com