Butts, 47, joined The Advertiser in 2001 as assistant business editor.

He previously served as Bloomberg News managing editor for Asia based in Tokyo and built a five-member staff to an operation employing 150 workers covering New Zealand to India.

Butts also worked for United Press International, which he joined in 1985 as a reporter in Austin, Texas, rising to Tokyo bureau chief in 1990.

He was a reporter for The Beaumont Enterprise, covering state politics.

"David brings considerable business reporting and editing experience to his new position," said Sandra Oshiro, Advertiser assistant managing editor. "We anticipate outstanding journalism will arise from his leadership of our award-winning business-section staff."