08/09/06

J. David Ake appointed AP photo chief in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON -- J. David Ake, deputy director of photography for The Associated Press, has been appointed assistant chief of bureau for photos in Washington, the AP's largest bureau.

The appointment was announced Aug. 9 by chief of bureau Sandy Johnson.

Ake is an award-winning photographer who joined the AP in 1997 in Chicago as state photo editor. He transferred to New York headquarters in 2001 as senior photo editor and was promoted to deputy director of photography in 2003. He has directed AP's photo coverage of several major stories, including the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center, the 2004 presidential campaign and Hurricane Katrina.

Ake has more than 25 years of photo experience, including six covering the White House for Agence France-Presse during the first Bush and Clinton presidencies. Ake has covered war and disasters across the globe and has extensive experience covering premier sports events as well.

Ake's work has been honored by the National Press Photographers Association and The White House News Photographers Association.

Contact: Jack Stokes, AP Corporate Communications, 212.621.1720