Past National Press Club President Doug Harbrecht to serve as interim executive director of Journalism Institute

Doug Harbrecht, a past president of the National Press Club, will serve as interim executive director of the NPC Journalism Institute this summer.

Harbrecht, who retired in Jaunuary as director of digital media for Kiplinger, is stepping in to lead the Club’s non-profit educational arm after the death last month of longtime executive director Julie Schoo.

Harbrecht served as Club president in 1998 and has remained an active participant in Club activities. He recently chaired the Club’s Board of Governors Investment Committee to create a plan for funds received from the sale of the painting, “Norman Rockwell Visits a Country Editor.”

A pioneer in crafting digital media strategies for Kiplinger and BusinessWeek, Harbrecht has experience speaking about media trends to classes of students and mid-career professionals.

“We are very fortunate that Doug was willing to bring his experience and skills to the Institute during this interim period,” said NPCJI President Barbara Cochran. “Thanks to Julie Schoo, the Institute has built a solid foundation of free press advocacy and high-quality professional development programming. As a long-time journalist himself, Doug understands the professional development needs of those we serve and is a passionate defender of the First Amendment and press freedom. He will ensure that we maintain the Institute’s momentum while we undertake a search for a successor.”

“I’m honored and hope to help the Institute through a sad time,” Harbrecht said. “Julie did so much for all of us.”

The Institute board has formed a search committee for an executive director, chaired by former Club President Angela Greiling Keane. A call for applications will be announced in the near future.