Nomination of Mark Evans Austad To Be United States Ambassador to Norway

The President today announced his intention to nominate Mark Evans Austad, of Arizona, to be Ambassador to Norway. He would succeed Sidney Anders Rand.

Mr. Austad was a missionary of the Church of Latter-Day Saints in Norway in 1936-39 and served in the United States Army in 1941-45. He was an announcer with KSL Radio in Salt Lake City, Utah (1941-43); commentator, newsman, and broadcaster with WWDC in Washington, D.C. (1945-50); and commentator-morning man with WTOP-CBS in Washington, D.C. (1950-60). In 1960-75 and since 1977, he has been vice president for public affairs with Metromedia, Inc. He hosted his own television program "The Mark Evans Show," and was anchorman of an award-winning documentary on pollution called "1985."

In 1973 Mr. Austad was United States Alternate Representative to the 28th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. In 1975-77 he was Ambassador to Finland.

He graduated from Weber State College. Mr. Austad is married, has three children, and resides in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was born April 1, 1917, in Ogden, Utah.