Anthony Dezarn has begun the work of reviving the circulation department for the Sequim Gazette, Peninsula Daily News and Forks Forum.

Dezarn, 53, took over as circulation director Aug. 30. He succeeds Michelle Lynn, who retired in July.

Dezarn comes in at a time when staffing is a challenge for businesses everywhere.

At the Sound Publishing Inc., newspapers on the North Olympic Peninsula, staffing shortages have decimated the carrier staff.

Dezarn, and his son Michael Bush — along with other new staff members — are working to ensure that all newspapers are delivered on time each day.

“We’re in the recruiting process now,” Dezarn said, adding that positions are open for some 10 routes within Port Angeles and in the Port Townsend — Port Ludlow area.

“We’re working to get back on track,” Dezarn said.

Said Terry Ward, publisher of the Gazette, PDN and Forum: “I am pleased to welcome Anthony to our leadership team at the Peninsula Daily News and Olympic Peninsula News Group. His 30-plus years of circulation and distribution experience will be a huge asset to our readers as he works to stabilize our delivery issues.

“The carrier shortage resulting in delivery problems put us in a position of providing our readers with subpar customer service and I’m confident Anthony will work diligently to correct the ongoing issues,” Ward said.

“His ability to recruit and retain carriers while developing a sustainable delivery strategy will be a benefit to the thousands of print subscribers who rely on the PDN to keep them informed of news and happenings on the North Olympic Peninsula.”

Bush has replaced Dave Smith, whose last day was Friday as the single copy manager.

He and his father have worked together at several newspapers, including most recently, the weekly Taos News in Taos, N.M.

Diamante Adams is a new home delivery carrier in Port Angeles. He began work with the PDN about two weeks ago.

Terry Stoddard, a former PDN employee who retired from the circulation department a few years ago has returned to help during a difficult time.

“I am thrilled with the other staffing additions we’ve made recently to our circulation department at the newspaper,” Ward said.

“These talented individuals with prior distribution and delivery experience will quickly make a difference in our ability to get newspapers delivered accurately and on time.”

Dezarn’s experience includes work at Gannett; Gannett-GateHouse; CNHI, LLC; HD Media Company LLC and Knight-Ridder.

He has worked primarily in Nashville, Tenn., Lexington, Ky., and Bend Ore., as well as in New Mexico.

Dezarn commented on the beauty of Pacific Northwest, and said the cooler weather is a nice change.

“It was in the 90s when we left Taos and we get here and it’s in the 60s,” he said.

“The weather feels pretty good here.”

It won’t happen overnight but those who have had to wait for late delivery — or missed their newspaper entirely — will see a change soon.

“I appreciate the ongoing patience demonstrated by our subscribers as we’ve worked to find solutions to our ongoing delivery problems,” Ward said.

For information, or to apply for a carrier position, call the PDN at 360-425-2345.