CHICAGO, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alzheimer's Association announced today that Harry Johns has been named president and chief executive officer. Johns comes to the Association from the American Cancer Society (ACS), where he most recently served as executive vice president of strategic initiatives.
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to benefit from Harry's vast experience with the nation's largest non-profit health organization," said Larry Varnes, the Alzheimer's Association's chairman of the board. "In our 25th anniversary year, our organization is facing many of the growth issues that ACS has encountered. We are on the verge of breakthroughs in science and care and Harry's leadership will enable us to accelerate our progress, enhance our ability to serve those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and advance our quest for prevention and cure."
"I consider it an honor and privilege to be joining the people of the Alzheimer's Association in pursuit of such an important mission," Johns said. "I look forward to working with the dedicated volunteers and staff across the association toward realizing its vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease."
Johns has served on the senior management team of the ACS since 1994. In his most recent capacity, Johns held responsibility for ACS nationwide strategic directions, including information, community programs, advocacy and fundraising. He also held responsibility for enterprise-wide marketing, communications and information technology. In addition to serving at the ACS national office, Johns holds significant field experience, having served in both ACS local and regional field offices.
Johns holds a bachelor's degree from Eckerd College in St Petersburg, Florida, and an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
The Alzheimer's Association is the world leader in research and support. In 2004, the Association launched a rebranding initiative, along with its Maintain Your Brain(R) public awareness campaign, and recently added "promotion of brain health" to its mission. It has awarded more than $180 million in grants to research scientists and the premier issue of Alzheimer's & Dementia: the Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, appears this week. The Association recently introduced its Campaign for Quality Care, working with residential care facilities to ensure high standards of care for those with dementia. It has 80 chapters and more than 300 points of service nationwide.
Alzheimer's AssociationCONTACT: Alzheimer's Association Public Relations Dept., +1-312-335-4078,media@alz.org
