Former Salt Lake newsman Ernie Ford has been named as the new director of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Ford, current president and owner of Ford Communications in Dallas, succeeds Ira D. Perry, who resigned last November to return to working journalism.Ford, formerly with KSL-TV, was unanimously approved by the SPJ board at a special meeting in Washington, D.C. SPJ is based in Greencastle, Ind.
"I am looking forward to the challenge of leading a great organization and staff into a bright future," said Ford, who will assume his new duties on Feb. 12, when he resigns as SPJ president.
Georgiana Vines, president-elect of SPJ and assistant managing editor of the Knoxville News-Sentinel in Tennessee will serve the remainder of Ford's term as well as hers.
As executive director of SPJ, the largest journalism organization in the world, Ford will coordinate the society's national activities and direct the headquarters' staff. He will also serve as publisher of the Quill, the organization's magazine.