About IREIRE was formed in 1975 to create a forum in which journalists throughout the world could help each other by sharing story ideas, news-gathering techniques and news sources. IRE provides members access to thousands of reporting tip sheets and other materials through its resource center and hosts conferences and specialized training throughout the country. Programs of IRE include the National Institute for Computer Assisted Reporting.Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc.IRE_95bdd98a-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea00Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting.JournalistsIRE OrganizersOur history -- Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. began in 1975 as the brain child of a small group of reporters from around the country who wanted to share tips about reporting and writing. A meeting was organized in Reston, Va., by essentially four people: Myrta Pulliam and Harley Bierce of the Indianapolis Star’s Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative team; Paul Williams, former managing editor of Sun Newspapers in Omaha, who worked on the Boys Town expose; and Ron Koziol of the Chicago Tribune, who covered police and courts.Myrta PulliamHarley BiercePaul WilliamsRon KoziolInitial SupportersOthers at that inaugural get-together were columnists Jack Anderson and Les Whitten; David Burnham of the New York Times; Len Downie of The Washington Post; Robert Peirce of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat; Jack Landau of Newhouse newspapers; Frank Anderson of the Long Beach Independent; John Colburn of Landmark Communications; Indianapolis attorney Edward O. DeLaney and former New Orleans reporter Robert Friedly.Jack AndersonLes WhittenDavid BurnhamLen DownieRobert PeirceJack LandauFrank AndersonJohn ColburnEdward O. DeLaneyRobert FriedlyOrganizational SupportersChristian ChurchThe Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which had passed resolutions supporting freedom of information, helped in the formation of IRE, including the design of the first IRE logo.Lilly EndowmentA grant from the Lilly Endowment also helped IRE get started with a $5,278 bank account.ReportersAbout 300 reporters attended the first IRE conference in Indianapolis a year after the Virginia meeting. For three days, experienced journalists offered advice in 90-minute segments on how to tackle everything from city hall to ethical problems. The conference was significant for two reasons. Not only had a group of reporters and editors struck upon a highly successful model for sharing information, the organization voted to turn down a major grant from a non-journalistic foundation. The new membership was determined to rely upon the support of professional organizations and journalists themselves.EditorsReporters and editors who had been investigative reporters or who had organized investigative teams were at the initial meeting in Reston. They remain the backbone of the organization, although professors, students, freelancers and book authors also have joined IRE.ProfessorsStudentsFreelancersBook AuthorsIRE Board of DirectorsThe Board of Directors serves as the governing body of IRE.Cheryl W. ThompsonCheryl W. Thompson, IRE Board President, is an investigative correspondent for NPR and teaches investigative reporting at George Washington University. Prior to joining NPR in January, she spent 22 years at The Washington Post, were she wrote extensively about law enforcement, political corruption and guns, and was a White House correspondent during Barack Obama’s first term. Her investigative series that traced guns used to kill more than 500 police officers in the U.S. earned her an Emmy, National Headliner, IRE and other awards. In 2015, her reporting found nearly one person a week died in the U.S. after being Tasered by police, and in 2017, her examination of Howard University Hospital revealed myriad problems with the storied facility, including that it had the highest rate of death lawsuits per bed than the five other DC hospitals. Her project published in May 2018 investigated the unsolved serial murders of six black girls in the nation’s capital nearly 50 years ago. She has won numerous other awards, including two Salute to Excellence awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, and was named NABJ’s Educator of the Year in 2017... (Originally elected 2015; current term expires June 2021.)Lee ZurikLee Zurik, Vice President, is an Evening News Anchor and Chief Investigative Reporter at WVUE-TV in New Orleans and director of investigations at Raycom Media. Lee has been honored with many of journalism’s top awards including two George Foster Peabody Awards, three duPont-Columbia Awards, the IRE Medal, three IRE Certificates, and eight National Edward R. Murrow Awards. Before Hurricane Katrina, Lee was a sports anchor/reporter. He taught himself to be an investigative reporter by reading IRE resources (books and tipsheets) and attending IRE conferences... (Originally elected 2016; current term expires June 2020.)Jodi UptonJodi Upton, Treasurer, is the Knight Chair in Data and Explanatory Journalism at Syracuse University, where she is developing a data journalism program. Previously, she was Senior Database Editor at USA TODAY, where she led a team on stories from mass killings to Medicare fraud to football coach contracts. She was a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University and taught at Indiana University’s National Sports Journalism Center. Her team won many U.S. and international awards... (Originally elected 2018; current term expires June 2020.)Jill RiepenhoffJill Riepenhoff, Secretary, joined Raycom Media’s national investigative team in July 2017 as a producer. Prior to that, she worked at The Columbus Dispatch since 1985. She has investigated issues ranging from naughty teachers to naughty mortgage brokers to naughty landlords and naughty guardians – those charged with caring for mentally-incompetent adults. She also enjoys digging into sports and has written extensively about the dark sides of youth, high school and college athletics. For the past two years, she has been the chair of IRE’s contest committee... (Originally elected 2014; current term expires June 2020.)Nicole VapNicole Vap, Executive Member (at-large), is the Director of Investigative Journalism at 9NEWS in Denver, and TEGNA Inc. Vap leads a team of award winning reporters and producers in Denver, and coordinates joint projects and training company wide. Her team are winners of a 2018 National Edward R. Murrow award, a 2017 Sigma Delta Chi Award for Public Service in Television Journalism, a 2011 DuPont Silver Baton for excellence in Broadcast journalism, multiple regional Edward R. Murrow and Emmy awards as well as being named a finalist for the IRE Freedom of Information award. She has also worked at television stations in Arizona, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Kansas... (Originally elected 2014; current term expires June 2020.)Bethany BarnesBethany Barnes is a reporter on the investigations team at the Tampa Bay Times. She came to the Times from The Oregonian, where her coverage of Portland Public Schools prompted the Education Writers Association to name Barnes the nation’s best education beat reporter in 2018. Before Oregon, Barnes wrote about prisons, courts and corruption in Las Vegas. Barnes is part of the team that produces Local Matters, a weekly newsletter that showcases local investigative journalism. Barnes has a bachelor’s degree in creative nonfiction and a master’s in journalism from the University of Arizona... (Originally elected 2019; current term expires June 2021.)Matt DempseyMatt Dempsey is the data editor at the Houston Chronicle. He worked on projects involving wildfires, state pensions, and the chemical industry. His passion for public records frequently leads to disclosure of data from all levels of government. His series Chemical Breakdown won the 2016 IRE Innovation award and the National Press Foundation’s “Feddie” award. His work was a key part of the Chronicle’s Pulitzer Prize finalist entry for Breaking News... (Originally elected 2018; current term expires June 2020.)Jodie FleischerJodie Fleischer joined WRC-TV in Washington as an investigative reporter in 2017. She’s earned several of journalism’s top honors including a duPont-Columbia Award, an IRE Award for Innovation, and numerous regional Murrow and Emmy awards. In 2015, she was recognized by the FBI director for her investigation of sovereign citizens that led to a dozen arrests and a change in state law. Her reporting on deadly police shootings helped change Georgia law to limit special treatment for officers. Jodie also exposed fraudulent activity which prompted the closure of a drug rehab run by the Church of Scientology, and her government corruption investigations have led to numerous indictments and resignations. Jodie previously worked for WSB-TV in Atlanta and stations in Orlando and South Carolina. She’s a graduate of the University of Florida... (Originally elected 2019; current term expires June 2021.)Cindy GalliCindy Galli is Chief of Investigative Projects for ABC News in New York. She oversees a team of award-winning network correspondents and producers specializing in investigations ranging from government fraud and waste to corporate corruption and consumer issues. Cindy also heads up collaborative investigative projects between ABC News and network affiliates around the country. A member of IRE since 1994, her work has garnered regional and national awards over 25 years of reporting... (Originally elected 2019; current term expires June 2021.)Jennifer LaFleurJennifer LaFleur is data editor at The Investigative Reporting Workshop and teaches at American University. She previously was a senior editor at Reveal/CIR, data editor at ProPublica, The Dallas Morning News, the San Jose Mercury News and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She was NICAR’s founding training director and has won awards for her coverage of disability, legal and open government issues... (Originally elected 2018; current term expires June 2020.)Steven RichSteven Rich is the database editor for investigations at The Washington Post. He’s worked on investigations probing the National Security Agency, tax lien sales, asset forfeiture, police shootings and college athletics. Since coming to The Post in 2013, he has shared in several national awards, including a George Polk award, a Robert F. Kennedy award and a Gerald Loeb award. He has been a reporter on two teams awarded Pulitzer Prizes, in 2014 for Public Service and in 2016 for National Reporting. Steven is a graduate of Mizzou and Virginia Tech... (Originally elected 2015; current term expires June 2021.)Brian M. RosenthalBrian M. Rosenthal is an investigative reporter on the Metro Desk of The New York Times. Before joining The Times, he covered state government for The Seattle Times and the Houston Chronicle. He was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize in Public Service for a series that exposed that Texas was secretly denying special education services to tens of thousands of children with disabilities. He also was part of the team that won 2015 Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News for coverage of a deadly mudslide. He has won an IRE medal, a George A. Polk Award and the Selden Ring Award for Investigative Reporting. He grew up in Indiana and attended Northwestern University...(Originally elected 2019; current term expires June 2021.)Norberto Santana Jr.Norberto Santana Jr. is an award-winning investigative reporter with more than two decades reporting experience, largely focused on local government across Southern California. He’s worked as a staff writer for the Orange County Register, the San Diego Union Tribune, the San Bernardino County Sun, the Virgin Islands Daily News and Congressional Quarterly. Since 2009, he’s led the digital nonprofit newsroom, Voice of OC, covering civic life in Orange County, California... (Originally elected 2018; current term expires June 2020.)IRE StaffDoug Haddix, Executive Director -- Doug Haddix is executive director of Investigative Reporters and Editors. He oversees training, conferences and services for 6,000 members worldwide, and for programs including the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting (NICAR). Previously, Haddix worked as an IRE training director, an assistant vice president at Ohio State University and director of the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism. An IRE member since 1996, Haddix led investigations and computer-assisted reporting at The Columbus Dispatch for a decade. Before that, he worked as city editor of The Scranton Times in Pennsylvania; city editor of The Commercial-News in Danville, Illinois; and as a reporter for the Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun and United Press International (Indianapolis). He earned a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University.Denise MalanDeputy Executive Director -- Denise Malan is IRE’s deputy executive director, leading the team that conducts all training programs, event logistics, data services and the IRE Resource Center. She was a newspaper journalist for more than a decade, covering government, education, politics, the environment and more. After several years at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times in Texas, she joined IRE in 2013 in a joint position with the Institute for Nonprofit News, helping newsrooms around the country use data in their reporting. She became a training director in 2016 and earned a master’s degree in data science from the University of Missouri in 2019.Stephanie KlimstraDirector of Events -- Stephanie Klimstra serves as the director of events for IRE and NICAR. She handles site selection, hotel negotiations and speaker arrangements for national and regional conferences. She also handles on-the-road training logistics, maintains IRE’s events calendar, and other specialized training seminars. Before joining IRE, Klimstra worked for the University of Missouri’s School of Social Work, planning their special events and managing their office operations. She has been in the conference planning field for over 20 years.Chris VachonDirector of Partnerships -- Chris Vachon joined IRE in September 2017. As director of partnerships, she leads efforts involving fundraising, sponsorships, fellowships and scholarships, business partnerships and related new initiatives. For the past 13 years, Vachon worked at the national SPJ headquarters in Indianapolis, including the past 11 years as associate executive director. At SPJ, her work included grant management, fundraising, conference and event planning, conference sponsorships, business partnerships and scholarships. Previously, Vachon worked as a sales representative for Standard Register Co. and assistant dean of students at Purdue University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ball State University in Indiana and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.Patti DiVincenzoTraining Director -- Patti DiVincenzo has spent more than three decades working in TV stations across the country, starting in Topeka, Kansas, and eventually landing at WSB-TV in Atlanta, where she was an investigative producer and data specialist for 16 years. A long-time member of IRE, she joined the staff as a training director in February 2019. DiVincenzo earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.Lauren GrandestaffResource Center Director -- Lauren Grandestaff is the Eugene S. Pulliam research director for IRE. As such, she coordinates the collection, indexing and archiving of research materials within a center that now includes more than 25,000 investigative stories and over 5,000 reporter tipsheets. In her role, she assists members in research and backgrounding. Lauren also coordinates the processing of the entries in the two annual IRE awards programs. Before joining IRE, she worked at both the Missouri School of Journalism library and the Columbia Missourian library. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Missouri.Heather Feldmann HenryFinancial Officer -- Heather Feldmann Henry manages IRE’s financial records, ensuring the organization’s compliance with the IRS as a nonprofit organization.David HerzogAcademic Adviser to NICAR -- David Herzog is a veteran investigative reporter, data journalist and educator with more than 25 years of experience. He’s a Print and Digital News professor at the Missouri School of Journalism and serves as the academic adviser to the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting. Before joining the school and IRE in 2002, Herzog spent nearly 15 years as a newspaper reporter and editor. He’s worked for the Providence Journal, The Baltimore Sun and The (Allentown, Pa.) Morning Call.Sarah HutchinsEditorial Director -- Sarah Hutchins oversees IRE’s editorial content, including the organization’s podcast, website, social media accounts and online training platforms. She also serves as managing editor of IRE’s quarterly magazine, The IRE Journal. She came to IRE from The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, where she worked as a reporter covering public safety and education. Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University and a master’s degree in data science from the University of Missouri.Amy JohnstonMembership & Registration Coordinator -- Amy Johnston handles membership services and registration for IRE. She has worked at IRE since 1999.Charles MinshewDirector of Data Services -- Charles Minshew is the Director of Data Services for IRE and NICAR. He helps maintain the Database Library and helps members with custom data analysis needs. He most recently worked as a multimedia artist at the Orlando Sentinel, specializing in data visualization and analysis. He was also a member of the Denver Post staff that won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news coverage of the Aurora theater massacre. A 2013 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and Georgia Southern University, Charles is a native of Rochelle, Ga.Francisco Vara-OrtaTraining Director -- Francisco Vara-Orta brings 17 years of newsroom experience to his role as an IRE trainer, which he began in February 2019. He has worked for a variety of online and print publications, including Chalkbeat, Education Week, the San Antonio Express-News, Austin Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal and the Los Angeles Times. He earned a master’s degree in investigative/data journalism at the University of Missouri and a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.Cody WinchesterTraining Director -- Cody Winchester has been a reporter, data specialist and web developer for daily newspapers in South Dakota, Nebraska and Texas. Before joining IRE as a training director in April 2017, he was a news applications specialist at the Austin American-Statesman. Cody has a communications degree from Black Hills State University and a master’s degree in international journalism from Baylor University.A free society_95bdda84-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea00To foster excellence in investigative journalism_95bddb9c-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea00JournalismExcellenceOutrageHow IRE got its name -- At the organizational meeting, Les Whitten asserted that what most characterizes the investigative reporter is “a sense of outrage.” During the course of the meeting (and with the help of a dictionary), it was determined that the simplicity of Investigative Reporters and Editors and the resultant acronym, IRE, seemed to fit such an association.SupportProvide training, resources and a community of support to investigative journalists._95bddcfa-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea001Investigative Journalists_95bdde08-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea00Professional StandardsPromote high professional standards._95bddf0c-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea002_95bde024-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea00RightsProtect the rights of investigative journalists._95bde132-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea003_95bde236-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea00SustainabilityEnsure the future of IRE._95bde34e-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea004_95bde45c-4dfa-11ea-9fdb-5b2d3183ea001975-06-302020-02-12https://www.ire.org/aboutOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net