Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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January 7, 2009
Release #09-085

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Public Affairs Director Julie Vallese to Leave CPSC
Joe Martyak, Chief of Staff, Also Named Acting Director

Consumer Product Safety Commission Acting Chairman Nancy Nord announced today that Julie Vallese, Director of the Office of Information and Public Affairs has submitted her resignation and will leave the agency on January 16, 2009.

"Julie has done an outstanding job for this agency. Because of Julie's leadership, expertise and direct approach with the media, the CPSC has become well-known for its outreach and education in product safety," Nord stated.

Since her appointment as Director in October 2005, Vallese has provided a greater focus to consumer-based education campaigns on such topics as toy safety, import security, fire safety and drowning prevention. Vallese served as the agency's senior spokesperson to the national news media, guided the agency through one of the most intense times of media scrutiny, developed the plan for the agency's new e-newsletter and played a key role in the creation of the e-mail alert to consumers for product recalls.

Before joining the Commission Vallese was a network news veteran, having worked for CNN for more than a decade. She was CNN's Consumer Editor and on-air correspondent. In this position, she was responsible for covering a variety of consumer issues including regulatory affairs, consumer products, transportation and technology.

Chairman Nord also announced that Joe Martyak will serve as Acting Director of the Office of Information and Public Affairs. Mr. Martyak also serves as Chief of Staff to Chairman Nord. Mr. Martyak served in several government, private sector, and non-profit positions, including: Associate Administrator for Public Affairs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Deputy Undersecretary at the U.S. Department of the Interior; General Manager, Golin Harris International (Washington); Executive Vice president for Marketing, Communications and Public Policy for the American Legacy Foundation; and Vice-President for Corporate Affairs for two global corporations. Mr. Martyak is also a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center.

The Office of Information and Public Affairs within the Commission is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive national information and public affairs program designed to promote product safety. The Office also is responsible for implementing the Commission's media relations program nationwide. The Office develops and disseminates the Commission's news releases, and organizes Commission news conferences.