She became managing editor for enterprise reporting at The Portland Oregonian in 1998. While there, she led the team that won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Bennett left Portland to become editor of the Herald-Leader just 21 months ago. Pett said she would be missed in Lexington.

“It’s too bad that she didn’t have time to stick around long enough to really let all of her good ideas and good qualities make their mark on the newspaper,” he said. “When a big job comes calling, and the [Knight-Ridder] corporation has kind of fingered you for it, it’s damn hard to say no.”

And Herald-Leader publisher Tim Kelly said that although he was excited for Bennett, he would be sorry to see her go.

“She really didn’t have any choice,” he said. “I’m thrilled for her, not so thrilled for us.”

According to Mark Hester, a business editor at the Oregonian who worked with Bennett, her ambition has helped make her successful.

“She’s extremely driven and sets the bar extremely high,” he said. “When necessary, she could step in and help you to clear that bar.”

Naomi Kaufman Price, the Oregonian’s assistant suburban editor, said Bennett is not only personally successful, but also effective at motivating those around her.

“She truly wants people around her to succeed,” Price said. “She wasn’t here that long, but she certainly made a big impression on the folks she worked with.”

Price said Bennett’s keen sense of humor and ability to have fun were among her best qualities.

“She’s well aware that she’s smart, but she doesn’t mind being ‘smart-funny,’” Price said. “That’s really the joy of working with her.”

Bennett will fit well into her new surroundings, Kelly said.

“She has the journalistic cache and the east-coast sensibilities,” he said. “I think Amanda’s got what it takes to succeed there.”

And Bennett will succeed in turning the paper around, Price said.

“I just don’t doubt that Amanda will restore the paper to its glory,” Price said. “I’m sure it will be just a kick to be there.”

—Associated Press material was used in the reporting of this article.

—Staff writer Stephen M. Marks can be reached at marks@fas.harvard.edu.