DURHAM, NC (December 4, 2009) – The National Press Photographers Association today announced the winners of its first-ever national Board of Directors election.
It also announced the voluntary withdrawal of one of the candidates, Region 2 director Todd Maisel, who withdrew before the election ended over a controversy on campaign tactics previously reported on this Web site.
“I'm excited about working with the new Board beginning in January. We are entering a new era for the NPPA,” NPPA president Bob Carey said. “I believe the election of board members on a national basis will allow us to continue to help our current members adjust to a changing profession and also reach a new generation of visual journalists.”
In addition to the six elected board members, three more board members will be appointed to the panel by NPPA's president before the new board's first meeting.
NPPA national secretary Denise McGill, who oversaw the election process and verified the vote tally, released the following statement:
"Voting for candidates for the 2010 NPPA Board of Directors closed Monday evening and the votes have been tallied. Excluded from the tally are votes received by Todd Maisel who, on December 2, submitted a formal letter announcing his withdrawal from the race due to his previously reported use of the Region 2 newsletter as a personal endorsement.
"In order to stagger the elected seats on the board of directors, in this initial restructuring year, the top two vote getters will serve a three-year term, the next two vote getters will serve a two-year term and the fifth and sixth place vote getters will serve one-year terms. Going forward all board of director positions will be three-year terms with a portion of the seats being open each year.
"The results of the election are as follows: Smiley Pool (183 votes) and Greg Smith (169 votes) will be serving three-year terms. Mike Borland (128 votes) and Jim Michalowski (114 votes) will be serving two-year terms. Merry Murray (111 votes) and Mike King (95 votes) will serve one-year terms.
"Also receiving votes were members Danny Gawlowski (92), Jack Zibluk (91), Jeff Gritchen (80), Gerald Williams (61), Pete Souza (1), Ken Irby (1) and Melissa Lyttle (1).
"Congratulations to all the new board members and thank you to all of the candidates for participating in the election and demonstrating their dedication to serving the NPPA. New board members begin their terms January 1, 2010 and will be sworn in January 16 at the board of director's business meeting which will be held at the NPPA office in Durham, NC."
