And You Might Be The New AAJA Executive Director

O.K. - maybe not all of you want to be the new ED of the AAJA, but it might down someone's alley who's reading this - and while I'm sure there's already some inside contenders, you never know.

Here's the PR information

The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) seeks an EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR responsible for the national, non-profit organization's $1.2 million budget and $2 million endowment campaign. Primary duties are fundraising, financial and organizational management, and convention planning. Since 1981, AAJA has promoted newsroom diversity. With a membership of approximately 2,000 professionals and students, AAJA's mission is to encourage Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) to enter the ranks of journalism, to work for fair and accurate coverage of AAPIs, and to increase the number of AAPI journalists and news managers in the industry.

AAJA Executive Director Rene Astudillo has formally submitted his resignation to the Governing Board. It is effective November 28 this year.

"Rene's leadership, integrity and affinity for AAJA's mission of diversity and fairness and accuracy in coverage of Asian Americans and Asian-American issues has been key to our organization's success - and we're so grateful to have had him for nearly 10 years. His successor will have big shoes to fill," said AAJA National President Jeanne Mariani-Belding.

"Rene has given so much to AAJA on so many levels. We all wish him the very best in the next phase of his career. He will always be part of our AAJA family and dear to our hearts," she added.

Catalina Camia, political editor of USA Today and who was AAJA & UNITY President when Astudillo was hired in May of 1999, said that “Rene’s tenure as executive director is marked by growth in membership and in professional staff, an expansion of services, stronger ties to the industry and our journalism organization partners, a more aggressive approach to holding news organizations accountable in their hiring and coverage, and an increase in our financial resources. His professionalism and calm, forceful leadership will be missed."

Deadline for applications is October 1, 2008 with a potential start date of December 1, 2008 or sooner.

For the full job announcement and other information, see
http://www.aaja.org/news/Headliners/2008_08_27_01/

About AAJA

The Asian American Journalists Association is a non-profit professional and educational organization with approximately 2,000 members today. Founded in 1981, AAJA has been at the forefront of change in the journalism industry. AAJA's mission is to encourage Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) to enter the ranks of journalism, to work for fair and accurate coverage of AAPIs, and to increase the number of AAPI journalists and news managers in the industry. AAJA is an alliance partner in UNITY Journalists of Color, along with the Native American Journalists Association, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and National Association of Black Journalists.

Media Contact:
Janice Lee
415-346-2051
JaniceL@aaja.org