Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children: The Foundation of The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Names Paul Amundsen Development Director

Seasoned Nonprofit Executive to Oversee Growing Foundation

CHICAGO, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children (HSHC): The Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), has named Paul Amundsen its new Development Director.  A certified fund raising executive (CFRE), Mr. Amundsen has more than 24 years of nonprofit management experience, specializing in associations and association foundations.

"We are very fortunate to have secured Paul for our development director," stated AAPD CEO Dr. John S. Rutkauskas.  "He brings a wealth of knowledge that will greatly benefit and serve the HSHC."

Before joining HSHC, Mr. Amundsen was president of his own consulting practice, providing consulting, facilitation and planning services to nonprofit groups, and helping national, regional and local membership groups develop comprehensive business, fundraising and strategic plans.  Prior to establishing his consulting practice, he served more than five years as Executive Director of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.

He also held the position of Vice President of Communications for Family Service America, and later, the Alliance for Children and Families.  In addition, Mr. Amundsen was the Vice President of Program Development at Orbis Broadcast Group, L.L.C. and Communications Director of The American Academy of Periodontology.

Mr. Amundsen has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism-News/Editorial from Northern Illinois University.  He holds Certificates in Nonprofit Finance and Nonprofit Governance from North Park University (NPU), where he is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Nonprofit Administration.  Mr. Amundsen is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the American Society of Association Executives and the Association Forum of Chicagoland.

About Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children: The Foundation of the AAPD

Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children: The Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, was established in 1987 by the AAPD to support and promote service, education and research that advances the oral health of infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs. HSHC's endowment is used to support community-based initiatives that provide Access to Care for all children.  For more information, visit the HSHC Web site at www.healthysmileshealthychildren.org.

SOURCE Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children