Senate Confirms Two New Members for the BBG Board
WASHINGTON – The United States Senate has confirmed two new members to serve on the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees all U.S. government-supported civilian international media.
The Senate tonight unanimously approved Michael Kempner and Dr. Leon Aron for membership on the bipartisan board. In the coming days, the new Governors will be appointed by the President and sworn in.
“We look forward to welcoming these talented and experienced professionals to the Board,” said Chairman Jeff Shell. “I am confident they will make meaningful contributions to our efforts to serve the critical mission of U.S. international media.”
Michael W. Kempner is the Founder, President, and CEO of MWW, a public relations firm he founded in 1986. He is board member of Goodwill Industries International and a Founding Board Member of ConnectOne Bancorp. He served on the White House Council for Community Solutions from 2010 to 2012. In 2013, he was named Agency Leader of the Year by PR News, Executive of the Year by American Business Awards, and Agency Professional of the Year and Communications Professional of the Year by Bulldog Stars of PR. Mr. Kempner received a B.S. from American University.
Dr. Leon Aron is Resident Scholar and Director of Russian Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a position he has held since 1993. He was a weekly Contributor at the Voice of America’s Russian language radio and television show Gliadya iz Ameriki (Looking from America) from 1990 to 2004. Dr. Aron was previously an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University from 1994 to 1996 and a Senior Policy Analyst at the Heritage Foundation from 1987 to 1992. He was awarded the Peace Fellowship from the U.S. Institute of Peace from 1992 to 1993. Dr. Aron received a B.A. from Moscow State Pedagogical Institute and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Columbia University.