MCLEAN, Va., July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2025–2026 President and newly elected Board leaders, who will guide the association in supporting organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and advancing the national goal of 50,000 organs transplanted from deceased donors in 2026.
Jeff Trageser, Executive Director of Lifesharing in San Diego, assumes the role of AOPO President. A respected national leader, Trageser brings over 30 years of healthcare experience to the position, including two decades on the front lines of the U.S. organ donation system. As AOPO President and Chair of the Board, he will help drive innovation and advance efforts to identify accurate performance metrics for OPOs as they continue to save lives.
"I'm honored to lead this exceptional community of professionals who dedicate themselves to giving hope to patients and families every single day," said Trageser. "Together, we will continue pushing for bold solutions, smarter systems, and greater collaboration as we strive to advance deceased organ donation and honor every donor hero."
A registered nurse with a Master of Science in Leadership from San Diego State University, Trageser is widely recognized for his data-driven, patient-centered approach to system improvement. Under his direction, Lifesharing has achieved record growth through clinical excellence and strong community partnerships.
Nationally, Trageser has served as Chair of AOPO's Procurement Council and contributed to its Data and OPO IMPACT Committees. He also led the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Deceased Donor Designation Review Workgroup and represented Region 5 on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) OPO Committee. Jeff's extensive clinical knowledge and his holistic approach to problem-solving make him uniquely qualified to shape national policies on organ donation and transplantation.
AOPO is also proud to welcome Allison Erickson, Chief Administrative Officer of New England Donor Services (NEDS), as the incoming President-Elect. A strategic leader with 16 years at one of the nation's largest OPOs, Erickson has advanced talent development, organizational culture, and growth across a six-state region. She led the creation of the COACH performance feedback system, spearheaded national recruitment efforts, and successfully facilitated an OPO merger, all while launching a mentorship program that was credited with driving staff retention and advancement.
Erickson holds a Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Bentley University, is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)-Senior Certified Professional (SCP), and was honored with the 2024 Robert Gatti Human Resources Leadership Award.
Additionally, AOPO welcomes new Board members Craig Van De Walker, Executive Director at Cascade Life Alliance, as OPO Population Group 3 Member Representative, and Charles Strom, MD, Senior Director, Organ Surgical Services at NEDS, as Medical Advisor-Elect.
"On behalf of the membership of AOPO, I want to thank the outgoing Board members and welcome the new leadership team. Their experience and dedication will shape AOPO's future during this pivotal moment for organ donation and transplantation," says Steve Miller, AOPO CEO.
The full AOPO 2025-26 Board of Directors includes:
President: Jeff Trageser, MSN, CPTC, Executive Director, Lifesharing
President-Elect: Allison Erickson, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CAO, New England Donor Services
Immediate Past President: Dorrie Dils, President & CEO, Gift of Life Michigan
Secretary/Treasurer: Terry Shambles, Chief Financial Officer, Midwest Transplant Network
Medical Advisor: Stephanie M Pouch, MD, MS, FAST, FIDSA, Assistant Medical Director, LifeLink of Georgia
Medical Advisor-Elect: Charles Strom, MD, Senior Director, Organ Surgical Services, NEDS
At-Large Member: Jennifer Prinz, President & CEO, Donor Alliance
At-Large Member: Clint Hostetler, COO, LifeShare of Oklahoma
OPO Population Group 1: Kevin Stump, President & CEO, Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency
OPO Population Group 2: Christy Tosney, Chief Performance and Technology Officer, DonorConnect
OPO Population Group 3: Craig Van De Walker, Executive Director, Cascade Life Alliance
OPO Population Group 4: Rick Hasz, President & CEO, Gift of Life Donor Program
About the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO)
AOPO is the not-for-profit trade association representing 47 of the nation's federally designated Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs), which save and improve lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation. Since 1984, AOPO has led national efforts to improve donation outcomes, share successful practices, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure every opportunity for donation results in lives saved. For more information, please visit www.aopo.org.
Contact Information:
Jenny Daigle | [email protected]
SOURCE Association of Organ Procurement Organizations
Share this article