Advertiser president and publisher Mike Fisch has won a Gannett's President's Ring for outstanding achievement, one of 10 publishers recognized for their leadership.

Fisch, 55, who oversees more than 850 employees at The Advertiser and Pacific Media Publishing, was recognized for his role in making The Advertiser and www.honoluluadvertiser.com editorial and financial successes. The award also recognizes community leadership and efforts at growing a diverse and dynamic work force.

"This award is recognition that the entire Advertiser 'ohana has performed at a level that exceeds expectation," Fisch said. "It reflects on the financial, operational, strategic and community success of our organization.

"My appreciation goes out to our customers for their support and our employees for their hard work."

Fisch is chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i's military affairs council and immediate past chairman of Enterprise Honolulu. He is on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, the Japan America Society and the Hawaii Business Roundtable.

Last year, he was honored by the Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America, as Hawai'i's distinguished citizen of 2006. He served as president of the council until February.

In 2005, he received the Ihe Award from the Army Museum in Hawaii, and the Helping Hands Hawaii Award.

Fisch came to The Advertiser in 1998 after serving as president and chief executive officer of The Bakersfield Californian for six years.

He began his newspaper career selling advertising in his hometown newspaper while still in high school in Fairmont, Minn. He has also worked at the Marshall (Minn.) Messenger & Independent, Rochester (Minn.) Post-Bulletin, Madison (Wis.) Newspapers Inc., and Hartford (Conn.) Courant.

Fisch and his wife, Nancy, live in East Honolulu.