Robin M. Martin, publisher and editor of The Santa Fe New Mexican, has announced the retirement of Stephen E. Watkins, 88, who has served as president of The New Mexican Inc. since 1967. Martin will assume the role of president.

"Steve Watkins has been a pillar of The New Mexican and of the community for almost half a century," Martin said. "Without his sound financial counsel and longtime commitment to this newspaper and my family, The New Mexican could not have attained the position it has. We are deeply grateful for his many years of service."

Watkins, who came to Santa Fe in 1967 with Peat Marwick, is also withdrawing from the practice of public accounting. He said he plans to "enjoy life," remain active in the finance committee at Holy Faith Episcopal church and in Downtown Rotary, and will continue his genealogical research and travels.

He spearheaded The New Mexican's 1971 conversion from linotype to electronic typesetting and convinced the newspaper's late owner, Robert M. McKinney, to buy a modern printing press.

Watkins was among McKinney's closest confidants. The two met when Watkins became his accountant in 1948. During the 1980 trial that returned the newspaper from the Gannett Co. to McKinney, Watkins was the key witness.

After the trial, he said, "It was the difference between chain operations and a family-owned newspaper. A chain is like the death of a community newspaper. You end up with a string of technicians instead of an editor who cares about the community."

The New Mexican has been in McKinney family hands from 1949 until today, though Gannett owned the newspaper from 1976 to 1989. Watkins' tenure as president of the corporation was from 1967-78 and 1990-2010.