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Edmonde Haddad, a
parishioner at St. Bede’s Church, Los Angeles, and longtime member of the
diocesan Program Group on Communications and Public Affairs, has been named
chair of the Editorial Board of The Episcopal News.
Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno announced Haddad’s appointment in September.
Haddad succeeds Janet Kawamoto, who recently became the paper’s managing
editor.
“We’re so pleased to welcome our friend in this new capacity,” said News
editor Robert Williams, citing Haddad’s experience in writing, broadcasting
and public affairs. “He has already brought a fresh perspective to the
board, and to have him serve as chairman is an added gift.”
Haddad, who recently returned to the Editorial Board after several years’
hiatus, is retired executive director of the Los Angeles World Affairs
Council, a position in which he welcomed distinguished speakers from all
over the world—politicians, writers, clergy (including then-Archbishop of
Canterbury Robert A. K. Runcie), heads of state and royalty—and skillfully
moderated lively and often contentious question-and-answer sessions. He also
served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy.
In recent years, Haddad has frequently contributed opinion articles to
various newspapers, including The News. He retains his lifelong interest in
international, national and local matters, and often serves as moderator or
panelist at forums on public affairs. Haddad is a member of PEN, the
organization for writers, and is the author of Look to the Rainbow, a book
of political and social commentary. He served on Governor Gray Davis’
Commission on Hate Crimes, a nine-member panel chaired by former Secretary
of State Warren Christopher and former California governor George Deukmejian.
During his 12 years as a news reporter and commentator for radio station
KPOL, Haddad was honored by the American Political Science Association for
distinguished reporting of public affairs, and received two Golden Mike
awards.
A native Angeleno, Haddad attended Hollywood High School, and then Columbia
University under a CBS News fellowship, which was awarded to him by a
selection committee that included famous journalist Edward R. Murrow.
Haddad and
his wife, Harriet, have three sons: Mark, a partner at the law firm of
Sidley, Austin, Brown & Wood; John, vice-president at the Columbia division
of Sony Music, New York; and Brent, associate professor of environmental
studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. |
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