PRESS RELEASE
01 February 2007

Special Olympics Montana President/CEO 
Elected to Special Olympics International Board of Directors

(Washington, DC) Bob Norbie, President/CEO of Special Olympics Montana was recently elected to serve on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors. The Special Olympics Board is the ultimate governing authority for the entire Special Olympics movement. Its members manage global affairs and strategies, determine its policies and programs, and oversee top-level management. 

When announced that he was elected, Norbie said, “It is a distinct privilege and honor to serve on a progressive Board whose mission it is to improve the quality of life for a part of humanity that is all too often marginalized or forgotten around the world.” 

Mr. Norbie has been employed with Special Olympics Montana for more than fourteen years and has held numerous leadership roles within the international organization. 

Other members of the International Board of Directors include: Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Honorary Chairman; Timothy Shriver, Chairman of the Board; Nadia Comaneci, Vice Chair; Olympic Gymnastics Gold Medalist; Deng PuFang, Chairman, China Disabled Persons’ Federation; HE Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President, Republic of Iceland; Steven J. Heyer, Chief Executive Officer, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.; Sheikh Daij Bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, IAC Middle East & North Africa Representative; Anne Sweeney, Co-Chairman Disney Media Networks & President Disney/ABC Television; and Walther Troger, Member, International Olympic Committee & Honorary President, German Olympic Committee. A total of 40 members from around the world serve on the Board. 

About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for 1.4 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. Visit Special Olympics online at www.specialolympics.org

Contact: Nina Smith
Board Chairman, Special Olympics Montana
info@somt.org

PO Box 3507
Great Falls, MT  59403
800-242-6876
406-216-5327