IRE History | Recent Press Releases | NBC's Thompson joins IRE Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Brant Houston, Executive Director, 573-882-2042, brant@ire.org

Nov. 2, 2006

Sherman resigns, NBC's Thompson joins IRE Board

COLUMBIA , Mo. — The IRE Board of Directors has appointed Lea Thompson of NBC to complete the term of board member Deborah Sherman, who resigned last month because of medical and family reasons.

Sherman was first elected to the board in 2004 and has been an active fund-raiser and advocate for broadcast members of IRE. She said she would continue to serve on IRE committees and help wherever possible.

Thompson is a long-time IRE member and award winner. She is NBC's Chief Consumer Correspondent. She is known for her hard-hitting investigative pieces particularly focused on consumer, health, safety and environmental issues.

Under IRE bylaws, the board appoints a replacement when a board member cannot serve out his or her term. The board voted unanimously to appoint Thompson.

"While the board is saddened to see Deb step down from the board, we certainly understand that family comes first and we wish her well," said James Grimaldi, IRE board president. "We will miss her passion and hard work for the organization, but we are heartened to know that she will remain active on IRE conferences and committees."

Grimaldi also said he was pleased that Thompson had joined the board. "The board is delighted to have someone of the caliber of Lea Thompson on the board. Always a popular speaker at our conferences, Lea has deep roots as a long-time IRE member and winner of IRE awards."