The Clarion-Ledger has named new editors over digital operations and sports.

David Bean, who has served as sports editor since this spring, is taking over digital operations for ClarionLedger.com.

Hugh Kellenberger, who became a columnist after serving for three years as a sports beat writer at The Clarion-Ledger, is now the new sports editor.

“David and Hugh are talented member of our staff, and it thrills me to be able to make these big changes from within our staff,” said Executive Editor Sam R. Hall.

Bean will oversee special digital projects, longterm planning, analytics and digital enterprise reporting.

“We have been a digital leader within Gannett for several years. We have several important projects coming up, and we need someone with David’s experience, skills and ideas to take command of them,” Hall said.

The digital position has been open since Hall vacated it to become executive editor. Bean was originally tapped to take it over, but he instead took the reigns of the sports department during a reorganization.

“David has done a great job for us in sports, which is his background. He helped reorganize that department and made several key hires,” Hall said. “However, I’m happy that we’re now able to get him to where I think he will be most beneficial to The Clarion-Ledger, and that’s overseeing our digital operations.”

Hall said one reason he was able to make the move was because Kellenberger has proven himself to be ready for the challenge in sports.

“Hugh is someone we felt had the potential to be a sports editor one day, and as David and I had the chance to work with him more closely over the past several months, I was convinced he was ready now,” Hall said. “He’s got great ideas, he knows the state sports scene as well as anyone here and he’s driven to make us the best sports outlet in the state.”

Kellenberger will continue to write columns and provide coverage of college football in addition to his new duties.

“Hugh gives us a sports editor that’s different from what we’ve had in the past several years, and that’s someone who is more visible at games and in more contact with the athletic programs,” Hall said. “He’s built a brand for himself quickly, and I think that’s going to pay huge dividends for us going forward.”

The changes take effect Nov. 1.