I am throwing in my hat for At-Large Director of the Society of Professional Journalists, the largest and most diverse journalism group in the country.

Please take a look at my goals and experience, and fire away any questions you might have about my candidacy.

Thanks in advance for your support.

–Carl
@carlcorry | About me

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Current SPJ Position: Co-chair, 2012 SPJ Region 1 Spring Conference.

Current Employment: Newsday’s online editor for local news.

Previous SPJ Experience: Region 1 Director, 2004-2006; President, Press Club of Long Island, 2002-2005 (Region 1 Chapter of the Year, 2002); board member, 1998-2011. Served as PCLI corresponding secretary and VP-Print. Student chapter president, Stony Brook University, 2004-2006; founding student chapter president, St. John’s University, 2003.

Past Work Experience: Executive producer, News 12 Interactive, 2007-2010; Editor, Long Island Business News, 2003-2007 (previously managing editor and reporter); spot news and tech reporter, Marketwatch.com, 2000-2001.

Education: B.A. in multidisciplinary studies, Stony Brook University, 1996.

Honors, Awards and Activities: Regional Director of the Year, 2005; Winner of outstanding service to journalism award from PCLI, 2005; LIBN 40 under 40 honoree, 2010; currently board member of the Buskin Committee for Campus Journalism at Stony Brook University.

Why I’m seeking this SPJ office: Communication. Innovation. Independence. That’s what I plan to bring to the SPJ board.

I want to bridge the communication gap between chapters so they can better share ideas, while offering a fresh, yet experienced voice to the board.

I also want to help chapters develop effective websites and vibrant social media initiatives.

My varied experience in print, TV, online and mobile journalism allows me to understand and quickly respond to the challenges our industry and our organization face.

It’s also crucial for board members to speak up when the society errs. For example, in 2005, SPJ prematurely criticized Ocean County College in New Jersey when a journalism advisor there was ousted. As Region 1 director, I led a committee that investigated the issue. We found that the administration made the wrong move. But we also found SPJ publicly responded without having sufficient information.

If I rejoined the SPJ board, I would work to avoid missteps like this in the future.

But more importantly, I hope to bring a new perspective that will help the society achieve its goals while addressing the changing needs of its members.