david michaelsThe Foreign Press Association has elected David Michaels, senior advisor at behavioral research and intervention shop Strategic Communications Laboratories, as president of the 400-member group founded in 1918.

He succeeds Alan Capper, who held the post since 2006.

Michaels said he’s delighted to assume leadership “at a time of unprecedented change and opportunity in the media industry.”

He plans to shepherd a new membership category for communications organizations to ensure that FPA “continues to be a preeminent international media association by meeting changing member needs as we move closer to our second century of operation.”

FPA represents foreign journalists working in the U.S. Its first leader was selected by a coin flip.