RESOURCES

Press Release, July 25, 2006

The Point Foundation Names New Executive Director

Jorge Valencia to Assume Leadership of Nation’s Largest LGBT Scholarship Foundation in January 2007

Media: Cathy Renna, Renna Communications, 917-757-6123,

LOS ANGELES, July 26, 2006The Point Foundation, the nation's first and largest organization providing financial support and mentoring to meritorious students marginalized because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, today announced the appointment of Jorge Valencia as its new Executive Director. Mr. Valencia currently serves as the Executive Director of The Trevor Project, the non-profit organization that operates the nation’s only around-the-clock suicide prevention helpline for gay and questioning youth, a position he has held since 2001.

Mr. Valencia was appointed after an extensive nationwide search and will begin as the Point Foundation's Executive Director on January 2, 2007. Bruce Lindstrom, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Point Foundation, will serve as interim Executive Director with the support of the organization's Board of Directors and will manage the day-to-day work of the Foundation until Mr. Valencia assumes his new role. Before January, Mr. Valencia will advise the organization on a voluntary basis.

“I could not be more thrilled at the selection of Jorge Valencia,” said Mr. Lindstrom, Founder and interim Executive Director, the Point Foundation. “His expertise in and passion for helping lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth — coupled with his demonstrated ability to manage and grow non-profit organizations — make him an ideal leader for the Point Foundation.”

“Here in Los Angeles, I have seen firsthand the results of Jorge's tremendous talent and think he is the perfect person to lead the Point Foundation to its next level of growth and success,” said Herb Hamsher, member of the Board of Directors, the Point Foundation. “The Point Foundation has gained tremendous momentum and become a leading voice for the LGBT community and we are confident Jorge will make us even stronger and more effective.”

Mr. Valencia has extensive operational, administrative and management experience in the non-profit, private and governmental sectors. Prior to joining The Trevor Project, Mr. Valencia led the corporate communications division at Pueblo Corporation (Pueblo), a marketing firm located in Los Angeles. Some of his clients included Ford Motor Company, DirecTV, Food 4 Less and Sprint PCS. Prior to Pueblo, Mr. Valencia was director of communications at Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, which conducts leadership seminars for promising youth. During the Clinton Administration, Mr. Valencia served as the Director of External Affairs for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Prior to his political management endeavors, Mr. Valencia served as head of public relations and marketing at Power Productions International, Inc. where he was responsible for creating and negotiating sponsorship contracts with LA Gear Inc., Reebok International and City of Hope.

“The Point Foundation occupies an important and unique place in the non-profit world, and I'm excited to join such a strong and dynamic group,” said Mr. Valencia. “I look forward to working with the board, staff and volunteers to pursue the organization’s critical mission to identify, encourage and support exceptional LGBT students so that they can have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and become meaningful members of society.”

On a personal level, Mr. Valencia brings to his work a keen personal understanding of the issues many Point Scholars face, having grown up in Texas as part of a Mormon Latino family and graduated from Brigham Young University.

About the Point Foundation

The Point Foundation provides financial support, mentoring and hope to meritorious students who are marginalized because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. As of July 2006, there are 65 Point Scholars currently in school and twelve alumni.

The Point Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization.

Note to Editors:

For more information, high resolution photos or to schedule an interview, please contact Cathy Renna at the number or email above.

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