Press Release
Press Release · Monday, May 15, 2000

College Park, MD. . . Archivist of the United States John W. Carlin announced today the appointment of R. Duke Blackwood to be the new director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA. The appointment will become effective June 19, 2000.

In making the appointment, Mr. Carlin said "We welcome Duke Blackwood into the Presidential library system. His background in forging relationships with constituencies and in program development and his strong ties to academia will be an asset to the Reagan Library as it nears its tenth anniversary in November of 2001."

Mr. Blackwood is currently the Executive Director of the University of Southern California Associates, responsible for managing and directing this highly visible organization throughout Southern California and the country. The USC Associates, the university's premier academic support organization, helps fund a wide range of programs enabling the university to advance as a world-class research and teaching institution. His leadership has helped guide the Office of University Advancement in raising funds totaling over $200 million a year. Mr. Blackwood has held various positions with the USC Associates since 1988.

Prior to coming to the USC Associates, for three years Mr. Blackwood was the Assistant to the Finance Chairman of the Deukmejian Campaign Committee. His responsibilities included coordinating fundraising efforts and creating and implementing a database management system. From 1981 to 1985, Mr. Blackwood was a marketing and political consultant who provided a wide range of fundraising and public relations services for clients.

Mr. Blackwood graduated from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona in 1980, earning a B.A. in Business Administration/Marketing Management.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential library is one of ten Presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley, CA. it houses the official records of the Reagan Presidency, including more than 49.7 million pages of documents, 1.6 million photographs, thousands of hours of audio and video recordings, and more than 100,000 artifacts. The 162,000 square foot facility is both a major research institution and a museum, showcasing the collections and hosting travelling exhibitions. Last year 200,000 visitors toured the museum or participated in various public programs.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.

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