George, the son of Cuban immigrants, started as a summer intern at the Tribune. During his 30 year career at the paper, he rose through the ranks from metro reporter to national and foreign correspondent. He eventually became national and foreign editor, before taking over as managing editor for news in 2006.
“I’ve spent my entire adult life at the Tribune, walking in the door as a summer intern at 21, never dreaming I would still be here all these years later. And now the time has come for me to move on and bid you all a warm farewell,” George wrote this afternoon in a memo to colleagues.
“For some time now, I’ve been thinking hard about my desire to do something new. Over the last few months, I began discussing it in earnest with Ann Marie. Earlier this year I finally decided that the time was right, and since then I have been working with her to help ensure a smooth transition.”
George will be on the job until Memorial Day weekend. No word yet on what he’ll do next.