Appointment of J. Dorrance Smith as Assistant to the President for Media Affairs

The President today announced the appointment of J. Dorrance Smith, of Texas, to be Assistant to the President for Media Affairs.

Mr. Smith is the former executive producer of ABC News "Nightline." Previously he was executive producer of "This Week With David Brinkley," a post he held since the broadcast premiered in 1981. In addition, Mr. Smith served as executive producer of "The Koppel Report: Tragedy at Tiananmen -- The Untold Story," which aired in June 1989. Previously he was a Staff Assistant to President Gerald Ford. Mr. Smith will be responsible for the Office of Public Affairs and the Office of Media Relations.

He graduated from Claremont College (California) in 1973 with a B.A. in literature. He was born on May 25, 1951, in Houston, TX.