Monday, August 13, 2007

Press Club of Dallas elects Hugh Aynesworth President and adopts new strategic plan

By Pegasus News wire

DALLAS — The Press Club of Dallas announced that Hugh Aynesworth, highly respected journalist, author, teacher, and recently retired Dallas bureau chief of the Washington Times, has been elected President of the 300 member organization.

Outgoing President Tom Stewart also announced the adoption of a new strategic plan to help the club recover from the turmoil of the past six months, following the discovery that former president Elizabeth Albanese had apparently appointed herself the only judge for the club’s prestigious Katie Awards from 2004-2006, and also used the club’s credit card for personal expenses. The announcement was made at the group’s annual members meeting at the Park Cities Hilton Inn August 3.

Rand LaVonn, President of the Dallas Press Club Foundation, applauded these changes, announcing a new stipend of $2,000 a month would be reinstated to help with the club’s operating expenses.

Aynesworth said, “We realize there are tremendous challenges in today’s world—one of them the incessant demand for people’s time and participation. We hope that we can not only keep the traditions of more than three generations of journalistic and public relations practitioners alive, but can contribute importantly to these professionals and the Texas community also.”

Also elected were Michael Patterson, public relations manager for Haynes and Boone law firm, as president-elect; Durhl Caussey, columnist and part owner of several community newspapers; Arnold Wayne Jones, theater and dining critic and special sections editor for Dallas Voice; Tony Pederson, journalism professor at Southern Methodist University; Jeff Whittington, producer and host at KERA; David Dunnigan, The Harrell Group; Tony Fay, publicity VP for Triton Sports Management, and Deborah Marine, marketing and communications for The Sixth Floor Museum.

The newly elected board members will join returnees John Browning, freelance journalist; Jason Philyaw, the Bond Buyer; Bob Morrison, USA Radio; Mark Willis, ABC Radio Networks; Jo Ann Holt, Holt & Associates PR; and Janet Ragland, LeTourneau University, on the board.

Aynesworth said, “This new board has as much potential as any I can recall in my more than 45 years as a member of the Press Club. We have lost several important members, but most of them have vowed to stay active and work on important committees. I am extremely pleased.”

Following a board orientation to be held August 22 at KERA, Aynesworth said a fundraising roast, possibly in November, would honor Troy Dungan, recently retired weather anchor for WFAA TV.

There are currently no plans for a Katie Awards in 2007, but a 50-year anniversary event is being planned for 2008. The Katie Awards draw entries from six states for excellence in journalism and corporate communications. The Press Club Foundation, a 501©3 non-profit organization, sponsors the Katie Awards to raise money for journalism scholarships.

Source: Press Club of Dallas

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