PAR names Robert Travis Scott as new president
Veteran news reporter Robert Travis Scott has been named president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR), replacing Jim Brandt who recently announced his retirement. Scott will begin his work at PAR on Dec. 1, 2010.
Scott has served the citizens of the state for the past 14 years by providing breaking news and in-depth coverage of political and economic developments in Louisiana. As capital bureau chief at The Times-Picayune and previously as business editor, he has extensive experience communicating effectively with government and business leaders. He brings to PAR a rich background in communications, policy analysis and nonprofit management supported by a passion for making Louisiana a better place to live and prosper.
His previous experience also includes serving as business editor at The Greenville News in Greenville, S.C., and associate director and editor of the Arms Control Association, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., that is an authority on nuclear arms negotiations. Scott attended the University of South Carolina where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in international studies in 1979. He also engaged in graduate studies in international security and economics at John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Scott has received regional and national recognition for in-depth news coverage, investigative reporting projects and writing. He also is a former president of the Baton Rouge Press Club.
“Considering Robert’s many years of experience dealing with public policy issues as a journalist in this state, he is ideally suited to lead the charge and push Louisiana policy forward with the development of evidence-based policy solutions to the state’s most pressing problems,” said Dr. Jim Richardson, who headed PAR’s presidential search committee.
“The PAR board is proud to name Robert as the eighth president of PAR,” said PAR Board of Directors Chairman Donna Saurage. “With his proven leadership skills and solid reputation as an objective authority on state policy, we are certain that he will carry the organization through to a strong future.”
The Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) is a private, nonprofit, non-partisan public policy research organization focused on pointing the way toward a more efficient, effective, transparent and accountable Louisiana government. PAR was founded in 1950 and is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. PAR has never accepted state government funds.