Andy Matthews Named NPRI President

(NPRI) – The Nevada Policy Research Institute today announced that Andy Matthews, formerly NPRI’s vice president for operations, has become the Institute’s new president, effective Oct. 1, 2011. Matthews succeeds Sharon Rossie, who had served as NPRI’s president since September 2006.

“It is with great pride and excitement that I announce that Andy Matthews is the new president of NPRI,” said Rossie, who will remain with the Institute as a consultant. “NPRI’s supporters already know that Andy is a gifted communicator, and they will soon appreciate his leadership abilities as well.

“Andy and I have worked closely together for the past several years to build NPRI into the strong voice for free-market principles that it is today, and he has consistently demonstrated that he has the judgment and decision-making skills needed to be an excellent president. I know that the Institute will be well served under Andy’s guidance.”

During her five years as president, Rossie oversaw a significant expansion of NPRI, as the Institute’s staff grew from three employees to 12. NPRI also recently moved into new offices, and its influence among policymakers, media members and the Nevada public has increased markedly in recent years.

“On behalf of NPRI’s board of directors, I want to thank Sharon Rossie for her outstanding service to this organization,” said Ranson W. Webster, NPRI’s board chairman. “I know I also speak for the board in expressing confidence that Andy will build upon Sharon’s success and will do an excellent job as president from day one. His familiarity with NPRI’s staff and supporters and his insight into state and national policy issues make him an ideal choice to lead our organization in this new era.

“For some organizations, transitions reveal glaring weaknesses, but this transition will reveal NPRI’s strengths — our unyielding commitment to freedom, as well as the outstanding talent of those who run this Institute.”

Matthews thanked NPRI’s board of directors, its staff and its supporters for showing confidence in him and praised Rossie for five years of exceptional leadership.

“Sharon Rossie is leaving NPRI’s presidency with a remarkable legacy of growth and achievement,” said Matthews. “I look forward to building upon her success, and working with our outstanding staff to continue the Institute’s excellent work in promoting free enterprise, individual liberty and limited, accountable government.”

Matthews becomes the fourth president in NPRI’s history. He joined NPRI in February 2007 as its communications director and became a vice president at the Institute in 2008.