The United States Senate has confirmed two new members to serve on the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees U.S. government-supported civilian international media.
The Senate unanimously approved Michael Kempner and Dr. Leon Aron for membership on the bipartisan board this week, and President Obama will confirm and swear in both men in the coming days.
“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.”
Kempner is the founder, president and CEO of public relations firm MWW, founded in 1986. He is also a board member of Goodwill Industries International and a founding board member of ConnectOne Bancorp. He has served on the White House Council for Community Solutions from 2010 to 2012 and is a graduate of The American University.
Aron has been resident scholar and director of Russian studies at the American Enterprise Institute 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. 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. Aron received a B.A. from Moscow State Pedagogical Institute and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Columbia University.
