Political journalist and University graduate Bob Gibson was recently named executive director of the University's Thomas C. Sorenson Institute for Political Leadership and will officially assume the position April 21.
Former executive director Sean O'Brien left the institute in January to become executive director of James Madison University's Center of the Constitution,? said institute Director of Communications Coy Barefoot. Following O'Brien's resignation, the institute's officials established a search committee to fill the position, Barefoot said, noting that "there were a dozen of highly qualified applicants from across Virginia"? reviewed by the committee.
Paul Harris, vice chairman of the institute's state advisory board and member of the search committee, said the committee "was keen to look for an executive director that had the qualities that reflected the fundamental underpinnings of the institute itself, which are ethical behavior, integrity and achieving civility in political campaigning and the formation of public policy."
Harris added that Gibson's experience with Virginia politics developed through his extensive journalistic experience and enhanced his appeal to the committee.
"He has a deep knowledge of Virginia politics which boosted his chances before the search committee and he is uniquely well-connected with political leaders throughout the commonwealth," Harris said, noting that Gibson's reputation as a political reporter might help bring Sorenson to the next level.
"He demonstrated creativity and expressed new ideas for improving existing programs," Harris said. "Overall, he was an exceptionally qualified candidate."
Before coming to the institute, Gibson covered Virginia politics for The Daily Progress in Charlottesville for more than 17 years.
"I've covered the General Assembly and Virginia politics and before that I covered police and courts for the Daily Progress," Gibson said, noting he will continue to write a regular column for The Daily Progress and will still host his call-in radio show.
Gibson said he plans to bring his multifaceted experience to the new job along with a great deal of enthusiasm.?
"I get to marry all of my interests and passions from journalism and politics in one job at the institute," Gibson said. "I will be working with a staff of six that does a fantastic job of recruiting and training political leaders."
As to whether the institute will see any changes in the future under his leadership, Gibson said he may try to incorporate aspects of his previous occupation into the institute's programs.
"I want to keep it strong and keep it in the spirit of its founders," he said. "We might add courses in political journalism, but these are all things to be determined."
Harris, meanwhile, added that those courses may be in the institute's future because Gibson has always expressed an intense passion for increasing the quality of political journalism.
"We are pleased and delighted that he has joined our efforts to expand the reach of the institute," Harris said.
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