CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton announces new Public Affairs Director

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2005
Release #06-020
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051


CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton announces new Public Affairs Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced the hiring of Julie Vallese as Director of Public Affairs.

"We are very fortunate that Mrs. Vallese is joining the CPSC team. She brings to the agency not only her knowledge of safety issues, but an understanding of the agency as well as effective communication skills that will further the agency's mission," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton.

Julie Vallese is a veteran of network news having worked at CNN for the past 15 years. Most recently she was CNN Newsource's Consumer Editor and on air correspondent. In this position she was responsible for covering a variety of consumer safety issues including consumer product safety issues, traffic safety, and technology safety. Her reports were seen not only on CNN, CNN Headline News but were also distributed to more than 700 local stations nationwide.

The Office of Public Affairs within the Commission performs several key functions, is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive national information and public affairs program designed to promote product safety. The Office also is responsible for implementing the Commission's media relations program nationwide. The Office serves as the Commission's spokesperson to the national print and broadcast media, develops and disseminates the Commission's news releases, and organizes Commission news conferences.