KENNEWICK, Wash. -- The Tri-City Herald's new circulation manager Ed Parker has plans to improve newspaper delivery.

"I'm going to deliver papers the way the customer wants," he said.

Parker recently joined the Herald's staff after six years as the home delivery manager at the Idaho Statesman in Boise. He has 40 years of newspaper experience, including at the Rocky Mountain News and Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Herald Publisher Gregg McConnell said there are only a handful of people in the nation with Parker's level of expertise in circulation.

Parker already has identified critical steps to be taken to improve customer service, he said.

The Herald's service levels have been unacceptable for some time, McConnell said. A high level of carrier turnover has resulted in inconsistent delivery for some Herald customers. Carriers, who are independent contractors, cover 350 routes.

The Herald is committed to supporting Parker's efforts to create a level of customer service superior to the newspaper industry's standard, he said.

Parker said he is working on a foundation to show subscribers that the Herald will deliver the paper in a timely fashion and to the desired location.

"Service is my No. 1 priority," Parker said.

For the circulation department, call 509-582-1582.