Cecil Bentley, editor and publisher of The Union-Recorder newspaper in Milledgeville, Ga., was named executive editor of the Centre Daily Times Tuesday.

James A. Moss, CDT president and publisher, announced his decision to hire Bentley before a gathering of newspaper employees. Bentley met with CDT staff members before returning to his home in Georgia.

Bentley will take over the executive editor position March 7. Until then, Cynthia Burton, the CDT's managing editor, is assuming the top position.

Moss said he is anticipating Bentley's arrival and is excited about him taking over the job.

"I certainly expect him to hit the ground running," he said.

Moss said he received a large number of applications for the job but chose Bentley because of his commitment to local news. Moss said he was looking for someone with a strong background in community journalism. Moss added that Bentley's local news experience at The Union-Recorder contributed to him getting the job.

Bentley's interest in providing guidance and training to the newspaper's young staff was another reason Moss said he selected him for the job.

Centre County is unfamiliar territory to Bentley, who came to the area for the first time for the job interview. He said he is looking forward to moving to the area and getting started at his new job.

"A university town is just an exciting place to live," Bentley said.

Bentley said he will try to make the paper more "compelling and exciting, so readers feel it's a part of their life."

Developing good relations with the University and other local publications are Bentley's priorities.

Bentley has been editor of The Union-Recorder since 1986 and served as publisher for the last year. The Union-Recorder is a daily newspaper with a circulation of more than 8,000, which is one-third the size of the CDT. The CDT and The Union-Recorder are both owned by the Knight-Ridder Inc. newspaper chain.

Bentley has earned two degrees from the University of Georgia and has served as a staff writer for The Daily News in Athens, Ga. He replaces the former CDT executive editor, Robert Ashley, who resigned in December after holding the position for seven years.