Mark Horvit, the outgoing executive director of Investigative Reporters and Editors, is joining the board of directors of the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting.
Horvit has served eight years as executive director of IRE, a 5,500-member association that conducts the largest conferences in investigative and computer-assisted journalism in the world and offers numerous workshops and online training sessions.
“I’m honored and excited to join the Midwest Center Board of Directors. The Center serves a vital watchdog role and produces investigative work that has real impact,” Horvit said.
The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting is an independent, nonprofit newsroom devoted to covering crucial issues in the Midwest with a special focus on agribusiness and related topics such as government programs, environment and energy.
Horvit said the Center plays a collaborative role, working with news organizations and universities to shine a light on areas of government and commerce that have traditionally received little scrutiny.
“I’m looking forward to contributing to this important work,” he said.
“We are extremely pleased that Mark has agreed to serve on the Center’s board,” said William Freivogel, board president. “Mark brings many years of experience both as an investigative journalist and a nonprofit manager and fundraiser.”
Before joining IRE, Horvit was a projects editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He also worked as an editor and reporter at metropolitan newspapers in Texas, North Carolina and Missouri.
Horvit’s predecessor at IRE, Brant Houston, also serves on the Center’s board as treasurer and as a volunteer editor.
The Center also provides training and education for students, professional journalists and citizens to better understand agribusiness and its impact locally, regionally and globally. In addition, the Center also uses both traditional and innovative digital tools and techniques to analyze data about agribusiness and distribute the results.
In February, the Center launched Big Ag Watch, a news site devoted to coverage of big agribusiness corporations.
For more information, please contact: Pam Dempsey, executive director, at pamelagdempsey@investigatemidwest.org or (312) 970-0395
