Ellis R. Ivory, founder of Ivory Homes, was named chairman of the board of directors of Deseret News Publishing Co. Wednesday.

Ivory, who has served on the board since May 1996, replaces L. Glen Snarr, who asked to step down as chairman but will remain on the board of directors. Snarr has been a member of the board since May 1978 and chairman since 1996.

"I think we're at a point where someone else can do what needs to be done better than I can," Snarr said Wednesday.

"I think the newspaper has every opportunity to grow. We're in the right position . . . and we've got a good newspaper. I think we have a great future ahead."

Ivory, 64, was named vice chairman of the Deseret News board in 2001 and chairman of the board's executive committee in 2003. He will retain his position on the executive committee.

Ivory will be replaced as vice chairman of the board by M. Darrell Nilson, who joined the News board in January 1999. Nilson also will be vice chairman of the executive committee.

"I've loved serving with Glen Snarr and the other board members for the past nine years," Ivory said Wednesday in a prepared statement. "Even though we have had many challenges, there has been tremendous progress at the News under Glen's leadership.

"This next year will be one more big step forward with the completion of the Newspaper Agency Corp. facility and the new presses. I see a bright future for the Deseret Morning News as we continue to improve the quality of the newspaper and make significant increases in circulation."

The NAC handles production, distribution and advertising for the Deseret Morning News and Salt Lake Tribune.

In a meeting with Deseret Morning News staff members after his appointment Wednesday, Ivory said he hopes to make the newspaper a "happy place" to work.

"There is an opportunity we have now to see some new heights in our circulation and in the respect the community has for this paper," he said.

Ivory was born Sept. 3, 1940, in Fountain Green, Sanpete County. He moved to Salt Lake City at the age of 10 and graduated from Granite High School in 1958. He married Katie Stohl in 1964, and they have seven married children and 20 grandchildren.

Ivory earned a degree in political science from the University of Utah in 1965 and started a career in real estate brokerage and development. He founded Ivory Homes, which has been Utah's top home builder for 17 consecutive years. Ivory sold the business to his son, Clark, in 2000.

Ivory said during Wednesday's staff meeting that his relationship with the home builder will not affect the newspaper's coverage of the company.