The St. Louis Jewish Light has announced that Larry Levin will serve as the newspaper’s new Publisher/CEO, beginning June 2.

After a nationwide search, the Jewish Light found the perfect candidate was already in St. Louis.

Levin, 52, has lived in St. Louis for almost 30 years. He comes to the Light after serving as president of the Ladue Education Foundation, a non-profit organization he helped start, and as vice president of retail development for the DESCO Group.

“We’re extremely excited to have Larry coming on board, ” said Milton Movitz, President of the St. Louis Jewish Light Board of Trustees.

“It’s really nice to have someone from our community, who knows the community, ” Movitz said. “I also believe he brings with him a lot of expertise: in his business and non-profit experience and in journalism and writing. “

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the hiring of Levin at a May 21 meeting, and a contract was signed by both parties on May 28.

Levin said he was attracted to the job in part because it presented an opportunity to combine different facets of his professional experience.

“I really liked the ability to utilize my background in a variety of areas for this position: my business background from the corporate world, non-profit background both as a full-time non-profit executive and a board member of several non-profit organizations, and my journalistic background, ” Levin said.

Levin’s said his professional experience has been eclectic — he has practiced law, served as a real estate business executive and as a non-profit executive. In addition, he served as an associate editor at the Riverfront Times from 1988-1990.

Levin said he is excited to return to the newspaper industry, and to work in the Jewish community.

“This is my first career opportunity in the Jewish community, and I’m really thrilled to be able to give back to the Jewish community. “

Movitz said the Board of Trustees was searching for a candidate who would bring energy to the Jewish Light and have a “presence in the community. “

“He has some innovative ideas for the paper, ” Movitz said. “And I think that the community is going to see a lot of him, and it’s not going to be just behind a desk. He’s going to be out there in the community. “

Levin said one of his goals will be to reach out to local congregations and social service organizations.

“It’s very important for us to reach out to the Jewish community, to talk to all sectors of the community and really make sure everyone understands the goals of the Light and what the Light brings to the Jewish community and to the greater St. Louis community, ” Levin said.