Montana Free Press CEO John Adams Has Resigned

The media founder will step down next June, leaving the 25-person organization to initiate a formal search for a successor.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People

A modern office room with wooden decor and a large window looking out toward distant mountains. — Montana Free Press founder John Adams announced he will step down as CEO on June 1, 2027, following a decade of organizational growth. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Montana Free Press founder and CEO John Adams announced his resignation on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The executive, who started the organization in 2016, will officially vacate the position on June 1, 2027.

Why it matters

The transition marks a leadership shift for a media organization that has expanded through the 2024 acquisition of Mountain Journal and led the launch of Local News Day in 2026. Adams stated that it is time for a new leader to guide the company's next chapter.

The transition involves an organization with 25 staff members and a 10-year tenure for its outgoing founder. The search process for the new leader will be conducted by a committee of advisory board members.

The players

John Adams

Founder and departing CEO of Montana Free Press who has led the organization for 10 years.

Montana Free Press

A Montana-based media organization with 25 employees that focuses on regional reporting.

Mountain Journal

A regional publication covering the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that was acquired by Montana Free Press in 2024.

The details

The search for a successor is currently being managed by a hiring committee comprised of advisory board members. Adams is slated to collaborate with these board members during the coming months to interview potential candidates and ensure a leadership handover. This administrative process precedes the final vacancy date scheduled for mid-2027.

2016: Montana Free Press founded.
October 13, 2026: John Adams announced his resignation.
June 1, 2027: Adams will vacate the CEO position.

Market Landscape

This leadership transition follows the organization's 2024 acquisition of Mountain Journal and indicates a move toward institutionalization following a decade of founder-led growth. The shift reflects a common maturation phase for independent media outlets expanding their footprint.

Operators in the media and non-profit sectors should watch the upcoming executive search process to see if the organization maintains its current editorial strategy. The transition period provides a window for stakeholders to monitor how the advisory board manages the shift in organizational culture.

The takeaway

The move underscores the importance of succession planning for founders who have held a role for a decade. Owners should track the committee-led hiring process as a benchmark for how similar mid-sized organizations transition from founder-led to board-governed leadership.