LA Biz Journal and sister publication to combine

The following note was sent out by the Los Angeles Business Journal:

The Los Angeles Business Journal and its sister publication, the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, are making some changes aimed at bringing the area’s leading business news outlets together to service the greater Los Angeles region even better.

Josh Schimmels, the publisher and chief executive of the Los Angeles Business Journal, will add the title of publisher and chief executive of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, effective April 1. At the same time, Charles Crumpley, the editor and publisher of the San Fernando Valley news operation, will become editor in chief of both newspapers.

Also, the Woodland Hills office of the Valley organization will be consolidated into the existing office of the Los Angeles journal in L.A.’s west side. The two newsrooms will be combined as will the two advertising staffs. All employees are remaining on staff and will work together, as one unified media company, to continue to produce the two award-winning publications. No changes are being made to the publishing schedules.

Stephanie Barbaran, who has been interim editor of the Los Angeles Business Journal, and Joel Russell, who has been editor of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, will be managing editors of the combined operation.