Gene F. Jankowski, Retired Former President CBS Broadcasting Elected to CASA* Columbia Board

NEW YORK, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University announced today that Gene F. Jankowski has been elected to its board of directors.

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Jankowski is the former President, CBS Broadcasting, Retired.  He began his career with the CBS Corporation in 1961 and served as President and Chairman from 1977 to 1989.  In the late 1980s Jankowski also held the position of advisor and managing director of Veronis Suhler Stevenson, a private equity firm that invests buyout and structured capital funds in the media, communications, information, and education industries. He is a co-author of the book, Television, Today and Tomorrow, published by the Oxford University Press in 1995.

"Gene's varied distinguished career, lifelong experience and professional expertise in the media and communications industry make him the ideal person to counsel CASA Columbia and help shape our future," said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA Columbia's Chairman and Founder.  "He understands and appreciates the role and importance of getting our people to understand the impact of substance abuse and addiction on our society."

"We are honored to have Gene Jankowski join our esteemed board of directors.  His vision and expert knowledge about the media and communications industry will keep CASA Columbia on the cutting-edge of the on-going national discussion regarding the many personal and social problems associated with the use of addictive substances and its all too frequent tragic end, the disease of addiction," said William H. Foster, Ph.D., CASA Columbia's President and CEO.

"In joining CASA Columbia's board I look forward to advising the organization on how to best communicate and translate 20 years worth of research and information and achieve its goal of removing the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction," said Mr. Jankowski.  "I know that CASA Columbia places a high priority on communications and the media to help assure that their work reaches the American people.  My objective is to help them navigate the ever changing world of communications and construct powerful messaging to ensure a healthy future for all Americans."

Jankowski is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the American Film Institute where he has served as a board member since 1977 and currently sits on the Executive Committee.  He also serves as a Fellow and member of the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Mr. Jankowski's past board service includes: Canisius College, Catholic University, Georgetown University, the American Red Cross-National Board of Governors, TV Azteca in Mexico City and St. Vincent's Medical Center.

Jankowski has received numerous awards including, the B'Nai Brith International-Communications Industry Award, the Southern Baptist-Distinguished Communications Medal, the National Conference of Christians and Jews-Humanitarian Award, the National Education Association-Advancement of Learning Through Broadcasting Award, the Canisius College-Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Michigan State University-Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Jankowski graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York and received his master's degree from Michigan State University.  He has funded two scholarships in his name at his graduate and undergraduate alma maters to honor his commitment to the telecommunication industry.

CASA is the only national organization that brings together under one roof all the professional disciplines needed to study and combat abuse of all substances—alcohol, nicotine, illegal, prescription and performance enhancing drugs—in all sectors of society. Founded in 1992 by former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA and its staff of some 60 professionals aim to inform Americans of the economic and social costs of substance abuse and its impact on their lives, find out what works in prevention and treatment of this disease, and remove the stigma of substance abuse and replace shame and despair with hope.

CASA has issued 73 reports and white papers, published three books, conducted demonstration programs focused on children, families and schools in 36 states and Washington, D.C., held 19 conferences, and has been evaluating drug and alcohol treatment and prevention programs to determine what works best for what individuals. CASA is the creator of the nationwide initiative Family Day—A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children^TM – the fourth Monday in September—the 26th in 2011—that promotes parental engagement as a simple and effective way to reduce children's risk of smoking, drinking and using illegal drugs. The most recent CASA book, How To Raise a Drug Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents by Joseph A. Califano, Jr., a practical, user friendly book of advice and information for parents, is widely available in paperback. For more information visit www.casacolumbia.org

*The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (also known as "CASA”) or any of its member organizations, or any other organizations with the name of "CASA."

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Joseph A. Califano, Jr.

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SOURCE The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University