American Lung Association CEO, John R. Garrison, Decides to Step Down, July 2001.Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 2000 Calls Organization Well Positioned to Continue the Fight Against Lung Disease lung disease Pulmonary disease Pulmonology Any condition causing or indicating impaired lung function Types of LD Obstructive lung disease–↓ in air flow caused by a narrowing or blockage of airways–eg, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis; John R. Garrison, chief executive officer of the American Lung Association The American Lung Association (ALA) is a non-profit organization that "fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health". , today announced that he will not renew his contract when it expires on July 15, 2001. Garrison has served as the CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of the nation's oldest voluntary health agency since July 1990. "I am proud of my record of achievement over the past decade at the American Lung Association," said Garrison. "The organization is in a position of strength and I feel now is the time for me to seek new challenges." Prior to heading the Lung Association, Garrison served as CEO of the National Easter Seal Society from 1978 to 1990 where he was recognized by Business Week as one of the top five social service CEOs in the nation. "The Lung Association is currently the fifth-largest voluntary health agency in the nation. As the recognized leader in the fight against asthma, air pollution and tobacco, it is well positioned to continue the fight against lung disease," added Garrison. "When I came to the American Lung Association, the entire organization was dependent on one revenue source, direct mail. In the past decade, we have broadened and diversified diversified (di·verˑ·s our revenue sources to include major gifts, special events, Internet Internet Publicly accessible computer network connecting many smaller networks from around the world. It grew out of a U.S. Defense Department program called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), established in 1969 with connections between computers at the donations, corporate support and government grants. "I am very pleased with the success we have enjoyed in developing new sources of income," Garrison added. In 1990, the nationwide American Lung Association raised $121 million; by 1999, the organization's revenue increased to $189 million. "My proudest achievement came in 1997 and 1998, when the entire organization stood up to the tobacco industry and those that wanted to trade liability protection for the industry in exchange for a comprehensive tobacco bill. The American Lung Association said 'NO IMMUNITY' and we won. "Minnesota was able to secure the disclosure of previously confidential tobacco industry documents. Litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. continues to keep the pressure on the tobacco industry and hold it accountable for its horrendous hor·ren·dous adj. Hideous; dreadful: "Horrendous explosions shook the whole city" Howard Kaplan. conduct. Only because the American Lung Association stepped forward were we able to deny the tobacco industry what it craved crave v. craved, crav·ing, craves v.tr. 1. To have an intense desire for. See Synonyms at desire. 2. To need urgently; require. 3. To beg earnestly for; implore. most, a permanent liability shield," Garrison stated. Garrison has not yet decided on future career plans. While he would not dismiss another CEO opportunity out of hand, he is leaning toward speaking and writing about nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. management. "Two-plus decades as a CEO of two outstanding health charities has been wonderful, but I would like to experience weekends again," Garrison concluded. The American Lung Association has been fighting lung disease for nearly 100 years. With the generous support of the public and the help of volunteers, it has seen many advances against lung disease. However, the work is not finished. As it looks forward to its second century, the Lung Association will continue to strive to make breathing easier for everyone through programs of education, community service, advocacy and research. The American Lung Association's activities are supported by donations to Christmas Seals Christmas Seals are adhesive labels placed on envelopes during the Christmas season to raise funds and awareness for tuberculosis programs. In 1904, Einar Holbøll, a Danish postal clerk developed the idea of a seal on envelopes during Christmas to raise money for and other voluntary contributions. You may obtain additional information via its Web site at http://www.lungusa.org. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion