FOIFT moves to Austin, elects board members and executive director

Change is in the air for The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. After 30 years in Dallas, the FOIFT has relocated its headquarters to Austin, Texas as well as many other changes.

In December, the FOIFT board of directors elected their new slate of officers for the 2009 year. Attorney Laura Prather of Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold LLP in Austin was elected president; Dale Leach, chief of bureau at The Associated Press, vice president; Fred Zipp, editor of The Austin American-Statesman, secretary; and Juan Elizondo, managing editor of the Longview News-Journal, treasurer.

Also, in March the FOIFT announced that Keith Elkins, a veteran Austin journalist, will lead the organization as its executive director.

“I am deeply honored to be joining FOIFT,” Elkins said. “During these trying economic times I sincerely believe the advocacy services FOIFT provides are invaluable as a growing number of newspapers and electronic journalistic organizations are facing cutbacks or are simply fading away altogether.”

President Laura Prather said she looks forward to working with Elkins as FOIFT assumes a more active and visible role in ensuring a more open and transparent government. Part of this strategy of increased visibility is improving the organization’s Web site and its award winning FOI FOCUS newsletter.

For subscribers to the old version, the FOIFT asks that you opt-in to receive the online version by submitting your email address on the FOIFT Web site, www.foift.org. Others wishing to receive the newsletter and other important FOI updates please visit the Web site to register.

“This is an exciting time for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas,” said Prather. “We are taking a new direction and assuming a more active role in advocating for and preserving open government. With the move to our state’s Capitol, we will be better able to serve our members and the general public in fighting to preserve and enhance the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act.”