WASHINGTON, May 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) today announced the names of 89 corporate directors who earned the NACD Fellow director credential during the first quarter of 2015.

NACD Fellowship, the highest level of credentialing for corporate directors, is a comprehensive program of study developed to educate directors about perennial and emerging boardroom issues and best practices. Completion of this rigorous program demonstrates a serious commitment to exemplary corporate governance.

"The focus on directors' credentials will only become more intense as the efforts to improve corporate governance continue," said Jim Brady, former director of Constellation Energy Group, McCormick & Co. Inc., and T. Rowe Price. "NACD Fellow status is a differentiating factor that governance constituencies highly value."

Anne Sheehan, director of corporate governance at CalSTRS, concurred from an investor's standpoint: "America needs well-rounded directors who are sensitive to public company shareowners, and who can clearly demonstrate their value on proxy disclosures. I always look forward to meeting NACD Fellows."

The NACD Fellowship community is backed by more than 35 years of authoritative research and represents the combined knowledge capital of hundreds of today's leading companies.

"Directors who choose to enhance their skills and acumen by becoming NACD Fellows demonstrate to company management, shareholders, and their peers a desire to perform their fiduciary duties to the best of their abilities," said Ken Daly, CEO of NACD. "I am pleased to recognize these distinguished leaders, who are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of governance."

For more information about the NACD Board Leadership Fellowship Program, visit NACDonline.org/Fellowship.

Individuals Named NACD Board Leadership Fellows    
     
Donna F. AndersonDonald L. DillinghamIsrael P. Martinez Jr.
Robert A. BassJames DumlerTonia Pankopf
Rhys J. BestI. Steven EdelsonTroy A. Paredes
Howard Brod BrownsteinRudolph I. EstradaJoan Ruff
Stephen ByersWilliam GalleNancy Sclater
Charlotte W. CollinsCatherine Alicia GeorgesMary Ann Scully
Terence J. ConnorsMark E. JensenScott E. Streller
Robert E. CreagerDavid R. KayserJack T. Taylor
Mark W. CrossleyKathryn Jo LincolnKurt Volker
Terence J. CryanJoanna LohkampLynn A. Wentworth
Michael R. CunninghamThomas MadonnaEugene H.S. Wong
Mary Schmid DaughertyMichael Marquardt  
     
Individuals Named NACD Governance Fellows    
     
Terri M. AlvaradoJane HaysNicholas P. Santrizos
Vincent BeattyThomas M. HonanWilliam Russell Scheirman
Brian BeckerJulia InestrozaMarc Schwarz
Paul J. BelairPaul F. JudgeSandra K. Scott
Carla Sue CarstensHalil KiymazRandall Seidl
Vincent R. De PalmaSusan LindbergDaniel P. Sharkey
Ronald DeblingerSteven G. MahonMark S. Shockey
Paul D. DickmanEdward MalaspinaArthur L. Smith
Loretta DoonLark McCarthyCindy Sobieski
Charles R. EggertBrandi G. MorandiLisa M. Sodeika
Brad ElliottMary Barrow NicholsHarry N. Stout
Thomas FerreiraStephanie OlexaGreg Stuart
Michael FuscoDoug OpheimConrad Szymanski
Dennis J. GannonBillie R. OttoChristopher M. Thiel
Christina GehrkeDeborah A. PeacockTerry G. Tyler
Mary E. GoodJames H. PetersonRonald H. Wender
Jerry K. GreigFrances P. Philip  
Mary Clare GumbletonG. Frederick Reinhardt  
Mark Fehrs HaukohlMikell Rigg Parsch  

About NACD

The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) is the advocate for the profession of directorship and the recognized authority focused on advancing exemplary board leadership and establishing leading boardroom practices. Informed by more than 35 years of experience, NACD delivers insight and resources that more than 16,000 corporate director members rely upon to make sound strategic decisions and confidently confront complex business challenges. NACD provides world-class director education programs, national peer-exchange forums, and proprietary research to promote director professionalism, ultimately enhancing the economic sustainability of the enterprise and bolstering stakeholder confidence. Fostering collaboration among directors, investors, and governance stakeholders, NACD is shaping the future of board leadership. To learn more about NACD, visit NACDonline.org. To become an NACD member, contact Kelly Dodd at kkdodd@NACDonline.org or 202-380-1891.

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