Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JOHN SYKES JR. – Sonny Albarado
SPJ presidents seldom ride off into the sunset after their terms end. Let’s tip our (cowboy) hats to all of them as SPJ Members of the Month. The latest of our former presidents is Sonny Albarado, who preceded Dana Neuts as president. We will use Sonny as an example. This might be most fitting as the annual Excellence in Journalism Conference is just about to start.
Membership Committee Chairperson Robyn Davis Sekula notes Sonny now takes charge of our elections and all of the resolutions voted on by the delegates, a tireless job that’s largely unrecognized. He works a lot behind the scenes and is very responsive. Dana probably will continue working tirelessly at similar things once Paul Fletcher succeeds her at the EIJ Conference this month. So this report on Member of the Month is a salute to many people!
Here is what Sonny has to say for himself:
Since the end of my SPJ presidency, I’ve stayed actively involved by serving on the FOI Committee, chairing the Nominations Committee for two years and chairing the Resolutions Committee. As nominations chair, I enjoy searching for SPJ members who exhibit leadership potential and getting them to run for national office.
I’m also in the middle of a 3-year term on the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation board.
And I’m a member of the Arkansas Pro Chapter board.
I make myself available to any SPJ member who calls for advice or assistance.
In addition to my SPJ activities, I serve as chair of the First Amendment Committee of the Associated Press Media Editors, and I serve on the Arkansas Freedom of Information Coalition.
My “day” job at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette entails supervising three reporters who do investigative reporting or cover key topics, such as health care reform, juvenile justice, local courts and campaign finance.
I’ve been at the D-G eight years. I served as interim city editor for about 18 months when we were between permanent city editors, a period that roughly coincided with my SPJ presidency.
Do you know an outstanding SPJ volunteer? Nominate that person for Volunteer of the Month by contacting Susan Stevens, Membership Committee member, at Susanstevens@aol.com. Please tell us briefly why you are nominating the person and why your nominee is worthy of recognition. Nominations are due the 5th of each month and announced by the 15th.