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ABA Promotes David Grogan to Director of ABFE, Advocacy and Public Policy
The American Booksellers Association has announced a further integration of the operations of the American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) into ABA’s ongoing advocacy initiatives, and resulting staffing changes. The decision follows former ABFE Director Chris Finan’s move to the National Coalition Against Censorship.
With these changes, ABA’s David Grogan has been promoted to the position of Director of ABFE, Advocacy and Public Policy. While continuing as ABA’s primary contact for public policy matters, Grogan will now also lead ABA’s efforts regarding free expression, readers’ rights, and the First Amendment. Grogan joined ABA in 2002 and has played a major role in ABA’s advocacy initiatives, including the successful campaign in support of e-fairness, among many other issues.
Said ABA CEO Oren Teicher, “As we make this transition, I want to reiterate that ABA’s core commitment to the First Amendment remains unchanged. David has worked with skill and dedication on behalf of bookstores, and we look forward to his clear focus and commitment in continuing Chris Finan’s stalwart efforts in the defense of readers’ First Amendment rights. We believe David’s longstanding, unbiased commitment to the importance of free speech in a healthy democracy is the perfect match for this new role, and, rest assured, the support for the freedom to read will remain a core tenet of our association’s mission.”
“I am very excited with this mission to lead ABFE’s work in support of free expression,” said Grogan. “Given the current political and social climate, it is more important than ever to ensure we protect all rights to read and to free expression.”