Subject: Newsclips #1283: Clarenback quits Victory Fund Sent: 8/1/96 12:04 PM From: Rex Wockner, rwockner@netcom.com News Release VICTORY FUND ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES David Clarenbach Departs; Jonathan Wilson Named Interim Executive Director Washington, DC --30 July 1996 -- Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund Executive Director David Clarenbach today announced his departure from that position effective August 9, 1996 to pursue other professional opportunities. The Victory Fund Board of Directors has appointed board member and former Victory Fund candidate Jonathan Wilson as Interim Executive Director while a search for a permanent Executive Director is being conducted. According to Victory Fund co-chair Joy Tomchin of New York, "In his year as our Executive Director, David provided the Victory Fund with essential administrative and financial management and austerity. He has accomplished much toward ensuring that the Victory Fund is a highly successful, effective, and well-run organization with a healthy and stable financial condition. David will be sincerely missed and the board of directors wishes him well." At its July 27 meeting in Washington DC, the Victory Fund Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Jonathan Wilson as Interim Executive Director. Wilson, a successful corporate attorney, served on the Des Moines (Iowa) School Board for twelve years, including two terms as board vice president and three terms as board president. During his tenure, he earned a reputation as a hardworking, outspoken advocate for nondiscrimination, equal educational opportunities, and multi-cultural, non-sexist policies and curriculum. Wilson gained national attention when he came out as a gay man during a contentious school board discussion concerning more uniform implementation of the school district's long-standing sexual orientation nondiscrimination policy. "I know very personally what it means to be targeted by the religious political extremists, " Wilson said, "and I've got a message for them: <>. I intend to help legions of lesbian and gay candidates get elected and appointed to public office at every level all across our country." Victory Fund co-chair Jeff Trammell of Washington DC, said, "Jonathan is an ideal choice for Interim Executive Director. He brings a unique perspective not only as a successful corporate attorney, but also as a former Victory Fund-recommended candidate and as a national figure who has dealt personally with the issues openly gay and lesbian candidates and public officials face each election cycle." Said Jonathan Wilson, "David Clarenbach has successfully positioned the Victory Fund for the future. I plan to build on his work." Added Clarenbach, "The Victory Fund is in good hands, and I look forward to working with the Interim Executive Director, Jonathan Wilson." The Victory Fund Board has asked Clarenbach to serve as a management and policy advisor to the Victory Fund during the transition and search process. As members of the Victory Fund delegation to Chicago during the Democratic National Convention, Wilson and Clarenbach will take part in joint gay and lesbian community activities, including a major event honoring openly gay and lesbian delegates to be held on August 28 at the new Museum of Contemporary Arts. Clarenbach will also participate in activities surrounding the Republican National Convention in San Diego, including LGBT VOICES '96 and the National Log Cabin Club Convention. The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is the nation's 15th largest independent political action committee and has raised more than $1.3 million for its recommended candidates. Founded in 1991, the Victory Fund is a donor network of individuals committed to electing qualified, openly gay and lesbian public officials at all levels of government. The Victory Fund is actively supporting 27 openly gay candidates nationwide, including highly focused support for Democrat Rick Zbur's closely-watched Congressional race in southern California. For more information please contact Kathleen DeBold [phone: 202-842-8679 / fax: 202-289- 3863 / e-mail: victoryf@aol.com.]