Breaking News: Gibson to Head Sorensen Institute

The Charlottesville Daily Progress announced less than an hour ago that its veteran political reporter, Bob Gibson, will be succeeding Sean O'Brien as executive director of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

According to the report filed by McGregor McCance:

In his new role, Gibson said he will focus on "helping to find and train political and civic leaders across Virginia in the spirit of the institute's founders."

Charlottesville businessmen Leigh Middleditch and Michael Bills started the organization, originally called the Virginia Institute of Political Leadership, in 1993.

Gibson, a 1972 UVa graduate and native of Arlington County, starts the new job April 21. He succeeds Sean O'Brien, who left the institute to become executive director of a new Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier.

Barbara Fried, chairman of the institute's state advisory board, said Gibson fits the mission and character of the Sorensen Institute.

"A lot of people said he is the face of Sorensen because he stands for integrity and objectivity, and he is well known across the state and well respected," she said.

The Sorensen Institute, in addition to its regular programs, has also sponsored "Virginia Blogger Summits" that were held in 2005 and 2006.

Brian Wheeler, a Sorensen Institute alumnus and member of the Albemarle County School Board, told WINA-AM radio host Coy Barefoot that Gibson's departure "will be a huge loss for the Daily Progress," a sentiment with which I agree.

This story is developing.