Kirby Named New Chair, Media Institute
• Richard E. Wiley, who has chaired The Media Institute‘s Board of Trustees with distinction for more than 30 years, will step down from that position on Jan. 31. The Institute’s Board of Trustees has chosen well known media lawyer Kathleen Kirby to succeed him. Wiley plans to remain active in Media Institute activities as Chairman Emeritus, effective Feb. 1.
“For over 30 years, it has been my great privilege to chair The Media Institute’s Board,” said Wiley (left), who in 1983 co-founded Wiley Rein LLP, a Washington, D.C., law firm with one of the nation’s largest communications practices. “During this time, the Institute has always supported sound communications policy and the First Amendment. I now look forward to assisting our outstanding new leadership team of Kathy Kirby and incoming President Mike O’Rielly.”
Kathleen Kirby (right) has been a media lawyer for more than three decades and is a partner at Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, where she co-chairs the Telecom, Media, and Technology practice and sits on the firm’s Executive and Management committees.
Kirby remarked, “I am honored and humbled to have the support of The Media Institute’s Board of Trustees to serve as the next Chair — the Institute’s mission remains critical at this pivotal time for media and communications. Of course, I am especially grateful for the leadership and vision of Dick Wiley, whose lifelong commitment to thoughtful and principled media policy has shaped the Institute and inspired many, including me.”
Kirby added, “I will draw from Dick’s powerful example as I work with our incoming President & CEO, Mike O’Rielly, and our distinguished Trustees to promote understanding of and respect for free speech principles, and to bring together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, academics, and journalists to address the emerging telecom, media, and technology issues that affect our democracy.”
The Media Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization specializing in communications policy and the First Amendment.
