American Lung Association Announces Appointment of New Chief Operating Officer

Bernadette Toomey, President & CEO of the American Lung Association, announced today the appointment of Charles Dean Connor as the organization’s new Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Connor, who joins the American Lung Association as Executive Vice President, will assume the role of COO on April 1 upon the retirement of Joseph Bergen, who has held the position since 1998.

Chuck joins the American Lung Association from American Red Cross, where he was Senior Vice President for Communication & Marketing for the National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He led all internal, external and stakeholder communication and marketing efforts including market research, advertising, events management, entertainment outreach, and Internet communications. “Chuck has an extraordinary record of public service and executive leadership and I am delighted to welcome him to the American Lung Association,” said Ms. Toomey, who became the Association’s President & CEO in July 2007. “We are at an exciting time in our history as the nation’s oldest voluntary health organization, and having Chuck on our national executive team is a tremendous asset.”

Prior to Red Cross, where he had served since September 2002, Mr. Connor was Principal for Client Strategy with The Dilenschneider Group in Chicago, specializing in communications strategy development, litigation support, crisis control, issues management and media relations. Before that he was the first director of Public Affairs for the Federal Judiciary in Washington, D.C., and he also served for 25 years as a U.S. Navy public affairs officer, leaving the service with the rank of Captain. Mr. Connor graduated from Loyola University of Chicago Law School and is a member of the bar of both Illinois and the District of Columbia. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois and attended Portland State University for graduate study in marketing and communications. Mr. Connor’s complete bio is available at www.lungusa.org.

“I am delighted to be joining the American Lung Association,” Mr. Connor said. “I welcome the opportunity to work with Bernadette Toomey, the Board, staff, and dedicated volunteers as they re-brand and re-energize this legendary organization.”

About the American Lung Association
Beginning our second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.lungusa.org.