The Signal's senior management team welcomes community leader Paul De La Cerda today as director of operations and marketing.

"Paul is highly respected throughout the community for his service and leadership," said Publisher Ian Lamont. "He brings to The Signal a great deal of marketing experience, along with in-depth knowledge of the Santa Clarita Valley and strong relationships with many of our community's top leaders and decision-makers."

De La Cerda has an impressive resume of business background and community involvement that will assist him in elevating The Signal to new heights, Lamont said.

"That connection is vital, and I will forge new relationships between The Signal and local businesses and make the current ones even stronger," he said.

De La Cerda, a 22-year Santa Clarita Valley resident, recently served as director of the Small Business Development Center, a business-assistance program at College of the Canyons.

He also supports Boy Scouts, the SCV Chamber of Commerce, the Valley Industrial Association and the city of Santa Clarita.

"Joining The Signal, my hometown newspaper, is a great opportunity that will allow me to serve my community in an even larger capacity," De La Cerda said.

"As part of The Signal's senior management team I will have an integral role in the growth, strategic and marketing direction of both the daily paper and Web site and new business ventures that will soon be launched."

De La Cerda sees great potential for The Signal.

"The only direction is up," De La Cerda added.

"The Signal's tradition is so deeply rooted in this community, and we owe it to the founders of this paper and community - those who built it - and the families that live here to offer a paper they'll continue to be proud of."

De La Cerda said he is especially looking forward to enhancing The Signal's online presence.
"Technology is revolutionizing everything," he said.