Officers (One-year term)
President
Julie Asher
I really believe in SPJ’s mission or I wouldn’t have maintained my membership – national and local – for 30 years. I have been in the DC chapter for 25-plus years and have been a longtime board member, serving before as president. I also served two two-year terms as regional director for Region 2.
I think SPJ is needed more than ever with so much information out there and online outlets sometimes muddying the waters about what is real journalism. On the local level as president I want to see the chapter do more outreach to the public to help them understand what good solid, ethical journalism is. I also hope to do more to bring the local affiliates of the other journalism organizations out there together with our members, because we can learn from one another and together we can hold informative programs, network and just generally be more collegial.
Vice President
Jenn Rowell
I first got involved with SPJ while a student at Christopher Newport University. I won one of the scholarships from Virginia Pro in 2005 and was then asked to serve on the board.
I remained on the Virginia Pro board until I moved to Alabama in 2007. There I restarted the long-defunct pro chapter and served as president until becoming the Region 3 director in 2009.
I served on the national board as Region 3 director until Feb. 17 when a new director was named.
I also serve on the Generation J committee and serve as a mentor through that committee and also a mentor through SPJ's diversity program.
I started as an intern at the Daily Press in Newport News, then an intern at the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star before moving to Alabama to work as the military reporter at the Montgomery Advertister. I recently moved back to Virginia and am currently an editor with KMI Media Group in Rockville.
I'm looking forward to getting involved in the DC Pro Chapter; it will be a nice change of pace for me to be part of a well-established chapter.
If elected, I'd like to continue the work that previous VPs have done and hopefully bring the lessons I've learned through building chapters here and put them to work. I love programming and hope to continue providing high quality programs while increasing participation and expanding the topic areas.
Treasurer
Amy Fickling
Are journalists still relevant in a social media world? Yes, we are! In fact, it's possible our traditional role and the SPJ Code of Ethics for journalists have never been more relevant than in the face of a changing universe of information delivery. And the DC chapter, located at the center of the news-making capital of the world, needs to work hard to rally our forces and to remind the public of the service we perform.
I have been active in the Washington, D.C., chapter for a long time and want to continue to serve the organization.
I was chapter president in 1991 and served two terms on the national SPJ board as Region 2 director from 1993 to 1997.
Well before we put Dateline online, I assembled and edited the chapter's newsletter. (This was back in the cut and paste days.)
I worked with the chapter leadership later where I could before returning to the board in 2007, just in time to help the chapter prepare for its role as host of the national SPJ convention.
I am standing for re-election as treasurer to follow up on the chapter’s efforts to modernize our accounting system.
The chapter is active and its engine is oiled and fueled by volunteers, but occasionally, we need to spend money to achieve our goals and present our programs. I am happy to serve as chapter treasurer to facilitate the financial end of our chapter activities. I look forward to continuing in that role so that other officers and members don't have to worry about bills being paid and checks deposited on time.
I have been an active journalist here in Washington since I arrived from my home state of North Carolina in 1984 to pursue a master's degree in journalism and public affairs at American University.
I have worked for the Gazette newspapers in Montgomery County, Md., The Capital newspaper of Annapolis, Telecommunications Reports International Inc. and two years at Knight Ridder/ Tribune Business News — before it was sold to McClatchy.
Corresponding Secretary
Sue Kopen Katcef
I am currently the Bureau Director of Capital News Service Television (CNS-TV) at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland in College Park. I have been a full-time instructor with the Merrill College for the past 12 years having come from WBAL Radio in Baltimore where I was a reporter/anchor.
I have been a member of SPJ (then SDX) since 1973, when I was initiated into the organization while a student at the University of Maryland. I have had the pleasure of serving as corresponding secretary for the Washington, D.C. Pro chapter for the past ten years.
In addition, I am also the faculty adviser to the University of Maryland student SPJ chapter.
I have also been involved with SPJ on the national level. I recently served two and half terms on SPJ's national board as a campus as adviser at-large and for two years was on the national Sigma Delta Chi Board.
This year, I am also serving as the President of the Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters' Association (comprised of AP affiliated broadcast stations in Maryland, D.C. and Delaware).
Now, more than ever, I think it's important that SPJ be on the forefront of tackling the many challenges facing journalists in our constantly changing profession. I have had the pleasure of helping to coordinate many of the programs that the DC SPJ Pro Chapter has held on topics ranging from ethics to new media. I look forward to continuing to serve the chapter and our fellow journalists.
Recording Secretary
Sherell Williams
I never aspired to be a journalist; rather the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics inspired me to become one. Back in high school, I thought I would pursue an English major in college.
Writing for me had always been poetry or short stories. Even though I read the newspaper at least once a week, I never really looked at the style of news writing. My curiosity and research eventually lead me to the Society of Professional Journalists and the Code of Ethics. The ideals and values of the profession as outlined in the code give weight to journalism that I didn't feel when writing fiction.
My belief in the SPJ Code of Ethics, my admiration for the journalism profession and desire to become a more active member in the SPJ community are why I’m running for the position of recording secretary with the Washington, D.C. chapter of SPJ.
One of my proudest times came when I helped re-establish the George Mason University chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. From August 2008 to May 2009, I served as president of the chapter.
While at the Mason, my editorial duties included significant work at two publications. I began as a staff writer for Broadside, the student newspaper. I was soon promoted to Assistant Style Editor, then Style Editor and finally Managing Editor.
I also worked as Managing Editor on the “Best of Mason” issue of VOX|POP, the student magazine. I helped craft a new design for the magazine, transformed all editorial content to reflect the new vision, and created articles unique to the brand.
While juggling those duties, I also served as Donations Coordinator for the first Washington Journalism and Media Conference held at George Mason University. In addition to contacting and collecting donations for the conference from organizations such as UPI and Society for News Design, I organized all games and activities to engage the students during Student Media Day.
In my current role as editor of Annandale Patch I spend my days and nights covering the Annandale, VA neighborhood, while managing a team of freelancers who help me cover the community.
In addition to taking photos and videos during my assignments, I also produce much of the content that goes on the site including breaking news. I manage and monitor all social media for the site, including our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
I welcome the challenge of joining those who came before me in setting the standards for our industry. I hope that I can lend my ideas to and learn from those who are trying to figure out where we will be going in the future.
Serving as recording secretary with the Washington, D.C. chapter of SPJ, to me, is an excellent place to begin that journey.
Board of Directors (Two-year term.)
Paul H. Byers
I joined SDX (later SPJ) in the spring of 1964 and served as the President of the American University Chapter 1965-1966.
I was the Vice President of the chapter at Columbia University's J-school the following year.
I was elected secretary of the DC-Pro Chapter in 2008 and then Board Member at Large in 2009.
Have helped plan a number of events–including the Hall of Fame dinner and served as a judge for various competitions.
I am the founder and president of a small video production company (Gateway Video Services, Inc.) specializing in producing and organizing special event coverage for the DNC, World Bank, Kuwait government, Boy Scouts and Commission on Presidential Debates
I also serve as chair of the Department of Communication at Marymount University in Arlington, Va., where I have taught journalism since 1988
SPJ has been an essential force in my development since I was a young journalist and serving on the board is my small way to show my appreciation.
Serving as recording secretary and board member for this chapter has given me the opportunity to find out all that goes into making the chapter so successful. I believe I am able to continue to make a contribution to the effective operation of this chapter and the programs it sponsors.
Amy Reinink
I’m an award-winning journalist who specializes in storytelling, with areas of focus including profiles; health and fitness; travel and the outdoors; business, entrepreneurship and real estate; and arts and entertainment. My work has appeared in publications including The Washington Post, Bethesda Magazine, Backpacker magazine, Entrepreneur, Runner’s World, Running Times and Women’s Running.
Before moving to Silver Spring, Md., as a freelance writer in October 2008, I spent six years mining rural Florida and Maryland for everything from spot news to Sunday narratives for daily newspapers. I’ve covered hurricanes, wildfires, elections, murder trials, zoning-board meetings, national championship games and small-town festivals, all with equal aplomb.
I am a longtime SPJ member who regularly attends D.C. SPJ freelance luncheons, and I would love to contribute my time and experience to an organization that has given so much to me.
Ben Shlesinger
I have worked for USAE, a meetings industry newspaper, for more than four years as an association editor. On the side I have been writing a couple of blogs for examiner.com for about two years.
For the past two years I have served as the recording secretary for the D.C. SPJ board. The one thing I would like to see the board accomplish in the coming year is expansion of our membership. I'd like to see that happen through a continued dedication to our varied events.