Below is an announcement from Simon regarding the recent resignation of NPI Director Peter Leyden, who has moved on to tackle exciting new challenges. We all will miss Pete greatly and wish him well!

July 9, 2008

After more than two years of collaboration, I announce, with great regret, that Peter Leyden, Director of the New Politics Institute, is stepping down from his post this month.

With Pete as Director, NPI has done significant things. It produced a powerful set of papers, our "New Tools" series, which have helped and continue to help, progressives navigate the new tech and media landscape. It produced a series of compelling looks at emerging parts of the American electorate, from those who live in the Exurbs to Hispanics and to one of the most important emergent groups, the Millennials. Our "Dawn of a New Politics" PowerPoint presentation has been seen by thousands of leaders from across the country, and was brought to thousands more through our forward-looking major magazine essay, The 50-Year Strategy. NPI engaged dozens of thought leaders from across the country, which helped craft our narratives, inform our work, write our papers and participate in dozens of teaching videos and events. Pete's leadership ensured NPI a secure and meaningful place in the constellation of new entities started in recent years to help lead the progressive movement successfully into the 21st century.

Pete's contribution to NPI has been significant indeed. He has grown NPI and greatly extended its influence. He is leaving NPI well-positioned to continue its critical work and grow well into the future.

To ensure that NPI's important work continues uninterrupted, I am pleased to announce that NPI associate and blogger, Aaron Jacobs Smith, will be staying on as a consultant. In the coming months, NDN also will be hiring a new position, a West Coast Director, as well as a Washington, DC-based, Executive Director for NPI - essentially hiring two people to make up for Pete's across-the-board strong and significant contribution to NDN and NPI.

On a personal note, I have learned a great deal from Pete and am sorry to see him go. I and the whole NDN team wish him well as he takes on what will be sure to be exciting new challenges at this very critical time for our nation. Feel free to send Pete a congratulatory note at peter@leyden.org.