American Lung Association Appoints Harold Wimmer as President and CEO

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association announced today the appointment of Harold Wimmer as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Wimmer has served as the President and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. He has led the fundraising, mission work, strategic planning and positioning of this leading voluntary public health organization in this region.

Mr. Wimmer began his career with the American Lung Association of Illinois 34 years ago. Following the merger of the Illinois and Iowa Lung Associations, Mr. Wimmer served as their CEO for 15 years. He was a key part of the process to merge seven states into what is now the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, which he has served as President and CEO since its creation.

In his tenure as CEO of the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, Mr. Wimmer was able to achieve delivering 88 percent of every dollar to programs and services, reaching more than two million people per year. His work in corporate and government partnership development resulted in increased revenue for the nationwide organization, and he provided the strategic leadership required to pass comprehensive smokefree laws in six of the seven Upper Midwest states.

Mr. Wimmer was also the driving force behind the creation of the American Lung Association Lung HelpLine, which is headquartered in Springfield, Ill., but serves the entire nation. The Helpline is staffed by Registered Nurses, Registered Respiratory Therapists and Tobacco Cessation Specialists who assist callers all over the nation with lung health issues and tobacco cessation guidance.

"The American Lung Association is extremely pleased to have someone with Mr. Wimmer's depth of experience and skills in nonprofit management to lead our national organization," said Ross Lanzafame, Chairman of the American Lung Association National Board of Directors. "Mr. Wimmer's 34 years with the Lung Association, in a variety of leadership roles, along with his extensive public health background make him uniquely equipped to lead our historic organization into the future."

The selection of Mr. Wimmer was the result of a comprehensive, nationwide search for the most qualified nonprofit executive to lead the historic association's ongoing fight for air.

Mr. Wimmer will assume the role of President and CEO on February 1, 2013. Adrienne Glasgow, who has been serving as Interim EVP and Chief Operating Officer since March 2012, will work closely with Mr. Wimmer to create a smooth transition and then will return to the position of the American Lung Association's Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Wimmer's complete bio is available at www.lung.org.

About the American Lung Association
Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lung.org.

SOURCE American Lung Association