APi Group, Inc. CEO Russell Becker Joins Board of Directors of Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minn., March 17 /PRNewswire/ --Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota today announced the appointment of Russell Becker to its board of directors. Becker has deep roots in Minnesota.  He grew up on the Iron Range in Virginia, Minnesota, and now lives near the Twin Cities with his wife and three sons.  He brings to the board a passion for helping improve the lives of young people.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100317/CG71858)

"We are very happy to welcome Russ Becker to our board," said Alan L. Goldbloom, MD, president and CEO of Children's of Minnesota.  "Russ has been involved with Children's for years and he has always been enthusiastic about our mission and role in this community.  As a member of our board, he'll play an important role in our continued efforts to provide the best possible care for patients and families in Minnesota."

Becker is president and CEO of APi Group, Inc., a billion dollar holding company for more than 32 independent construction and construction-related businesses.  He says he first became interested in Children's thanks to the late Jim Ryan, the former chair of the Children's board who was a mentor for Becker.  Becker says Ryan's passion for Children's was contagious.

"Once I spent time at the hospitals and watched the battles the kids were going through, it became kind of a no-brainer for me to want to get involved," said Becker.  "Children's is doing so much right now to improve the quality of life at the hospitals for the kids and families.  It's an easy decision for me to get behind their efforts and to do what I can to help."

Becker's wife, Trish, is also a strong supporter of Children's.  She is serving as co-chair for this year's Thank God for Kids Gala to benefit the Cancer Kids Fund.  

In addition to serving on the Children's board, Becker serves on the board of directors of Dunwoody Institute and he is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization.  He also has a passion for hockey, coaching youngsters to high school age hockey teams.

About Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota

Serving as Minnesota's children's hospital since 1924, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota has 332 staffed beds at its two hospitals in St. Paul and Minneapolis. An independent, not-for-profit health care system, Children's of Minnesota provides care through more than 14,000 inpatient visits and more than 200,000 emergency room and other outpatient visits every year. Children's is the only Minnesota hospital system to provide comprehensive care exclusively to children. For more information, visit www.childrensmn.org.

SOURCE Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota