Voting opens tomorrow for the ONA Board of Directors election.  There is an amazing slate of good candidates–more than can be elected–and a real diversity of backgrounds.  So, I wanted to share more information about why I’d like to serve on the board:

I’m not a traditional journalist who moved to new media: Although I have a long history working with online news, my path has led from from being EIC of a big web news site (nj.,com) to running a large portal (netscape.com) to being head of product for a dating site (personals.yahoo.com), with lots of consulting along the way for sites including The Center for Investigative Reporting and Salon.  This means I have a perspective and a diversity of experience that will complement the Board.

ONA is an amazing organization that will benefit from my skills.  As the chair for the 2009 keynotes, I had a chance to get to know ONA’s vibrant community really well–and have a chance to contribute. It felt great to serve.

I represent sites focused on civic engagement, community engagement and hyperlocal, both as a practicioner–with Oakland Local–and as a consultant.  This is a group that needs more representation at ONA, and I’d like to help.

There are lots of other cool people running. Some of the people I plan to vote for myself include the following:
Michele McLellan, Knight Digital Media Center and Circuit Rider – Knight Foundation
Ingrid Sturgis, Assistant Professor, Howard University

I think Michelle and Ingrid both bring fresh perspectives and experiences that ONA will greatly benefit from–please consider them as potential candidates you support.