OTTUMWA — Doug Techel is the new circulation director for the Ottumwa Courier.

A former Courier employee, Techel re-joins the Courier after leaving as circulation director in 1998.

He is owner of Champion Bowl and said he was “looking for a challenge. That’s why I came back.”

Courier publisher Tom Hawley said that, “We’re extremely pleased that Doug has agreed to come back to the Courier. His experience and knowledge of our circulation area will be invaluable.”

An Ottumwa native, Techel, 50, is an Ottumwa High School graduate and has an associates degree. He started working for the Courier in 1988 as a district manager in the circulation department.

He worked in Billings, Mont., as a newspaper circulation sales manager and returned to the Courier a year later as an advertising representative.

In 1991, he was named Courier circulation director.

Techel directs a staff of four district managers including the Newspapers In Education coordinator.

“My first goal is to get our service in check,” Techel said.

He wants to emphasize getting all Couriers delivered by 6 a.m. “and hopefully see a steady increase in circulation.

“I see a lot of positive things,” Techel said. “The district managers work well together.”

Techel and his wife, Lorraine, have a daughter, Danielle, and a son, Seth.

“And five dogs and one cat,” Techel said.