LANCASTER, Pa. - Richard Barth of Washington, D.C., has been selected as president of Franklin & Marshall College’s Alumni Board for the coming year. Barth will serve as chair of this advisory board that represents the interests of all Franklin & Marshall alumni.
"Rich is following in the footsteps of some very dedicated F&M alumni who have assumed the Alumni Board presidency," said Cathy Roman, Franklin & Marshall's Director of Alumni Programs. "Rich’s energy and enthusiasm for his alma mater, make him the ideal person to head this group of alumni leaders as the College focuses on engaging our alumni in greater and more meaningful ways." Homeland Security Department Secretary Michael Chertoff appointed Barth Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy Development on August 28, 2006. In that position, he is the principal action officer for coordinating policy among DHS entities; as well as with state and federal agencies, and foreign governments. Prior to assuming his current position, Barth was Corporate Vice President and Director, Homeland Security Strategy, for Motorola’s Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, Barth was primarily responsible for developing and maintaining working relations with the U.S. Government's Executive and Legislative Branches in order to facilitate Motorola's businesses worldwide. He also managed a team that dealt with first responder (public safety) communications issues, as well as other spectrum and telecommunications regulations that directly impacted Motorola's international trade and technology business. Under President George H. W. Bush, Barth served on the National Security Council staff with responsibilities that included international trade and technology policy issues. This followed a career that included various other trade and technology related positions for the Departments of Commerce and Treasury. Barth has a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Maryland and earned his bachelor's degree from Franklin & Marshall in 1971. He is married to the former Carol Rabbitt of Philadelphia, and they have two children, Amy and Alex. Barth and family reside in the District of Columbia. Barth has served on the F&M Alumni Board since 2003 and has been a member of its executive committee since 2005. He chaired the marketing committee from 2004-05. In addition to his role as president, Barth will also serve as an ex officio member of the college's Board of Trustees. Founded in 1787, Franklin & Marshall is a coeducational, liberal arts institution located in historic Lancaster, Pa. The college is dedicated to excellence in undergraduate liberal education, fostering in its students qualities of intellect, creativity and character, so that they may live fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to their occupations, their communities, and their world. Approximately 2,050 students are enrolled in the colleges 40 academic disciplines. -30- |
