AUGUSTA – Eric Conrad, former managing editor of the Portland Press Herald-Maine Sunday Telegram, has been named executive editor of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel, Publisher John Christie announced Tuesday.

Conrad, who has served for the past seven months as editor of The News-Times in Danbury, Conn., begins his new duties at the two newspapers on Jan. 17, Christie said. He succeeds David Offer, who retired at the end of 2006.

“I’m happy to be welcoming Eric back to our newspaper group after a short stint out of state,” Christie said Tuesday.

Conrad, 45, said he and his wife, Barbara Walsh, look forward to returning to Maine. He worked for 10 years at the Portland newspapers: five years as managing editor in addition to stints as city editor and sports editor. Walsh is a former special projects writer for the newspapers. She’s currently writing a book.

“My family and I are returning to a state that we love. Barbara and I lived and worked there for over 10 years, and our daughters were born in Maine. It’s home for us,” he said.

The Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel, along with the Portland Press Herald-Maine Sunday Telegram, are part of Blethen Maine Newspapers, which is owned by the Seattle Times.