New York Press Club Changing of the Guard Hundreds of New York Press Club members and their guests packed the dramatic halls of the Museum of Natural History's Rose Center for Earth and Space as outgoing president Gabe Pressman passed the torch of NYPC leadership to the club's new president, Carol Anne Riddell. With stuffed swordfish, dolphins and other blue-lit creatures looking on, Riddell took the oath of office, promising to fight for freedom of the press, work to keep journalists abreast of changes in the business, and mentor the next generation of newsgathering men and women. Carol Anne Riddell gets presidential pointers from Gabe Pressman. Photo credit: Gregg Geller Riddell, who like Pressman is a reporter at WNBC-TV, admits his is a hard act to follow. "How could I possibly fill Gabe Pressman's shoes as president of this organization?" Riddell told those gathered for the NYPC annual awards dinner and installation of newly-elected officers. "I can't. But I can take steps to move this club in the direction he has begun." Riddell, who has reported extensively on education issues in New York City, took time to reflect on her own formative years, in particular her parents' encouraging her to always ask questions, not realizing that questioning would turn out to be her life's calling. There are those who say a little strategy goes well with sirloin steak. Photo credit: Gregg Geller Other club officers sworn in at the June 19th installation ceremonies were First Vice President Stephannia Cleaton, of the Staten Island Advance; Second Vice President Don Ennis, of WCBS-TV; Treasurer Chris Olert, of the Associated Press; Secretary Jessica Hampton, of Access Hollywood; Financial Secretary Jeff Simmons, of New York 1 News; and Corresponding Secretary Francie Grace, of CBS New Media. It is perhaps fitting that this gathering of individuals who have devoted their life to asking questions was sponsored by two companies who are devoted to answering questions: Prudential Insurance and TurnHere.com, the latter a sort of Internet concierge dedicated to helping with life-changing events such as the birth of a child, selecting a college, the purchase of a home, critical illness, or the death of a loved one or friend. Special thanks for all that was done to make this event such a success also go to Anne Canty and Gary Zarr of The American Museum of Natural History; New York Press Club chairman of the board of trustees Gus Engleman; New York Press Club Foundation president Jack Shahahan; and New York Press Club executive assistant Annie Marinho.